(A/N) I tried to work quickly, but this chapter didn't click as much as the next one does. That means I'm ahead for the next update, though! Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: I only own the boring characters, so don't sue me for the interesting ones: They're not mine.
Chapter 30
The first trickling of morning light found them in the plain, empty grasses surrounding the base of the Fooji Mountains. The crags battled against the sky for dominance as far as the eye could see to the east and west, looming like faded blue shadows on the horizon. The grasses rustled against their shins, a soft terrain much different than the rougher, gnarled forest floor they had trekked through.
Zerai had managed to keep quiet for the majority of the trip; it was in his best interest after all. He knew next to nothing about Tethe'alla's geography, and now he saw no immediate danger.
He cast a calculating eye over his peculiar batch of saviors. The woman and the boy were kind enough, albeit guarded, around him. He couldn't blame them for that, though it was odd that they had been imprisoned at all. They appeared guiltless in Zerai's eyes, but he supposed he knew little to nothing about them. Then there was Yuan, a Sylvaranti leader in the heart of Tethe'allan territory. If he felt any camaraderie with the man, it was quickly brushed away when their escape was implemented. Zerai had clearly been an afterthought. While that could be a bit annoying, being slighted was better than being dead, so he looked past it. Yuan had come initially for the other man, Kratos, and not him.
And that was where his understanding ended.
Yuan Kaafei, high-ranking Sylvaranti, had risked life for the Tethe'allan. Anything Zerai pretended to know blurred incoherently when it came to the reserved swordsman. How he could run into the same boy, and now man, three times in vastly different circumstances, was lost on him. Regardless of how it could be possible, he had no more information about him than when he started. He hadn't spoken more than a few words to Zerai, and it didn't appear as if he planned to. The confusion intensified with the omission of Kratos' full name, and the growing distaste he could feel emanating from the other human.
Sure, he had been talkative in the cell, something the Tethe'allan was obviously not fond of, but Zerai was feeling genuine dislike, and not annoyance. He had no clue as to why the two fighters would have even taken him with them. They clearly hadn't needed him for anything more than a distraction. The dark-haired fugitive sighed in exasperation. The series of events that had come to pass were so abrupt relative to his solitude that he could make no sense out of them.
They came to a weary halt in the comforting isolation of the clearing, and Zerai creaked down into the dry weeds in order to be more comfortable. His body was not in the same shape it used to be; he was not acclimated to such exercise anymore.
"So what now?" He asked tiredly, noting that the others looked just as drained as him. However, he was not drowsy enough to miss the conspiratorial glance between the teal-haired halfling and Kratos.
"You can go." The auburn-haired man declared simply, and Zerai blinked.
"What?"
"You're free to go. Don't get caught." His words weren't biting, but they were final, and Zerai scowled.
"I heard you the first time. Why, exactly, would you break me out just to set me loose on your country?" He was sensing a double-standard somewhere, but it was so hard to tell with the Tethe'allans that were at odds with their own government. "Where would I go?" He countered, still intrigued by whatever logic was working behind Kratos' words.
"Back to Sylvarant if you're smart." Yuan sighed, "The Meltokian guard will be after you." He concluded rather grimly with his arms crossed. Zerai wondered why it sounded as if Yuan was staying.
"Won't they essentially be after everyone here? It would certainly be more prudent for all of us to travel to Sylvarant. At least until things cool off." He reciprocated the gesture, unbearably curious as to why the Sylvaranti commander seemed to want to stay in Tethe'alla of all places.
"You mean stick together?" The elven woman, Martel, sounded incredulous. "Simply because we escaped together doesn't mean any of us trust you." Her words were cool, indifferent, and Zerai did a double-take. Was this the same soft-mannered woman as before?
"It's true." He replied slickly, not willing to let the opportunity to ingratiate himself go by, "I've given you no reason to trust me, and a very good reason not to." From what he had overheard, it appeared as if she was Tethe'allan as well. He knew Yuan was Sylvaranti, but it seemed it was only Yuan who shared his allegiance. How he had gotten so involved with the Tethe'allans was beyond Zerai's comprehension. His response, however, intended to self-deprecate was met with a blinking blonde boy's puzzled expression.
"You just told me not to trust you." The boy deadpanned, very serious for one so young, especially for the one that was flitting about ecstatically only hours before.
"That I did." He replied breezily, confidently, though he was anything but. Tethe'alla was dangerous territory, even with Tethe'allans that dared to break him out of prison. "We don't have to trust one another in order to move forward." He added. "I don't even have the first clue as to how to return to Sylvarant." He glossed over the fact that his country obviously had to be west of any point in Tethe'alla. As far as a fool-proof entry point, he truly was unsure. Asgard might've been his best bet. The territory dispute had to have fluctuated in the last five years, but how much?
"It doesn't take a genius to get there." Kratos huffed, calling his bluff, "However, you have neither the means nor information to get there safely." It was grudgingly admitted. How could it be, that even when siding with him, the man managed to make it sound like they were disagreeing?
"So, Sylvarant?" He felt hopeful. He would definitely be more in his own element if they could pass the border. No doubt they'd be able to part ways there.
"Considering you would have to be the guide once we got there, I think that gives you an unfair advantage over us." Martel's distrust in him was pragmatic, but her words shocked him nevertheless. He would have to be the guide? His eyes darted over to Yuan's, not catching even a flicker of dispute in them. Clearly, the swordsman was on fairly good terms with the other halflings, but were they under the impression that he... was Tethe'allan? An interesting concept, indeed.
He could work with this.
Yuan didn't like the look on the fugitive's face. It appeared as if he would keep his nationality quiet for now, but such a weighty secret in the other's hands made him grit his teeth. They needed to discuss this alone, before something bad came out of the misunderstanding.
Kratos had noticed as well, and a thought must have crossed his mind.
"Yuan, would you mind talking to Zerai in private? I have matters I'd like to discuss with Martel and Mithos away from prying ears." Yuan smirked at the offended look on the other Sylvaranti's face. He must not have expected Kratos to be so blatantly exclusive.
"Of course." Yuan tugged the supine man up by the arm and walked a ways out of ear shot. He was sure Kratos would fill him in later, but he completely understood keeping the stranger out of the loop for now.
"Am I supposed to feel insulted every time he opens his mouth?" Zerai muttered softly, but only Yuan knew that Kratos likely could still hear him. Yuan shrugged noncommittally.
"He's just rough around the edges," Yuan noted, "Doesn't really warm up well to new people." Once the halfling deemed them far enough away from Mithos or Martel, he trained a serious look on the other. "You know who I am, and I know who you are." He spoke bluntly, "However, Martel and Mithos don't know much about me at all, and I'd like to keep it that way. For now, at least."
"Am I supposed to feel insulted every time he opens his mouth?"
Kratos did his best not to scowl when he overheard the Sylvaranti retreat with Yuan a ways across the field. He focused on the curious expression Martel wore.
"I'd like to discuss the matter of Summon Spirits with you both." He began-
"He's just rough around the edges. Doesn't really warm up well to new people." Kratos attempted to tune them both out, to no avail. A frown creased his face. Curse his enhanced hearing.
"It's clear that these beings hold vast amounts of power," He went on unperturbed, "and Mithos can call upon them."
"After we break whatever seal holds them dormant." Martel put in, actively listening.
"Yes," He continued, "And I don't see us finding any assistance from the Tethe'allan government for the dire problem in Kharlan: an issue caused by mana depletion and ceaseless fighting. Such a power could be used to fix either of the causes and possibly prevent the danger from spreading. As the Great Tree is the source of all the mana in our world, I only see the circumstances escalating. If it has already begun to drain mana instead of give it, then we are on borrowed time." Martel had a dark frown on her face, and Mithos' childlike blue eyes widened a fraction.
"Borrowed time?" His question trembled a little, tinged with fear.
"It's true. I was thinking along many of the same lines." Martel answered, "This world will only have as much time as the remaining mana supply will last. No more is being produced, yet so much is being consumed." She fingered the dry blades of grass from the plain. "So, Kratos, are you proposing we create more pacts with the Summon Spirits? They may be able to heal the tree together, or perhaps stop the war. It's a long shot at best." Her tone was edifying, informational, thoughtful.
"It's a terrible thing to ask of a child," Kratos admitted, "but, yes." He carefully watched Mithos' expression. He couldn't force the issue if the boy declined, nevertheless he couldn't think of any alternative aside from allowing one side to win the war. However, the discrimination, domination, and imperialism that would result could be just as bad. Magitechnology would not halt in its production, either.
The blonde halfling's face was a myriad of emotion. Bewilderment was predominant during the exchange, but insight had grown throughout, to be replaced with hard consideration, and now a resolute determination.
"I'll do it."
"Why are you even here?" The human's perplexity was evident, and Yuan didn't see the harm in answering.
"Kratos and I needed to return to Tethe'alla for medical reasons and we ran into trouble. He got arrested, and you know the rest." He wanted to laugh at the annoyed frown on the other's face.
"What kind of 'medical reasons' drive any one to- wait. Kratos and you. He said he was Tethe'allan." Mysan looked so thoroughly confused, that Yuan was fairly certain he could never be set completely straight.
"He is." A nonchalant shrug from the halfling drove the man mad with frustration.
"Then why are you friends? Is he a traitor?" As likely as that could be given the information Zerai had, Yuan bristled a bit.
"Forget it. You don't need to know everything. Just keep quiet will you? Only Kratos knows, and I'd rather not cross any unnecessary bridges if I can help it." The fringe of the other's bangs hung over his eyes, head bowed in thought.
"What a group." He shook his head in disbelief, "With so many secrets... you make me want to stay to figure it all out." He laughed sarcastically, glancing back behind himself to see Kratos conversing quietly with the two elven siblings.
"How'd they get drawn into all this?" He asked, tipping his head back towards the pensive Mithos. Absently, Yuan wondered what Kratos was discussing with them. It appeared grave, judging by their expressions.
"More by chance than anything intentional." Yuan retorted. They had made a mess out of things, turning innocent bystanders into on-the-run renegades.
"As much as I hate to say it, I think you guys are growing on me. Cryptic comments and all." Yuan didn't know whether to be welcoming or suspicious at such a statement. He felt uncomfortable with the devious gleam in the human's eye. He acted as if they were puzzle pieces, and Yuan couldn't say what the man might do when he put them all together.
"Mithos, it's too dangerous." Martel reminded him feebly.
"It's the entire world, Martel. Everything is dying. What if we can stop it? What if it was a one in a million chance?" The boy had embraced the idea so quickly that Kratos wondered if he'd been thinking about it all along. "How many Summon Spirits can there be, anyways? Four? Five?"
"I'm not entirely sure." Martel pondered the thought, "I wish I had that equipment Xilia brought along. Will she be alright in Meltokio?" The conversation had taken a turn. Kratos nodded.
"She should be able to get out with relatively little trouble. It won't take her long to find out that we were successful in our escape." Kratos knew they couldn't risk returning anywhere near to Meltokio, even to get a message across.
"Fair enough." Martel continued, "So assuming we did go on this quest for Summon Spirits, there is a tremendous likelihood that any area with extreme weather has one at its root."
"Triet." Kratos noted aloud, positive the mana unbalance was the cause of Triet's destruction. "Flanoir is fairly close, do you think one could be contained it that region as well?"
"I'd be willing to put money on it." Martel nodded, "Is that where we're headed?"
"If you are both okay with the idea that we could fail." There was only acceptance in their eyes, and Kratos could spot a veneer of hope on the horizon.
"Is the Sylvaranti coming with us?" Mithos questioned curiously, eyes darting across the field to spot Yuan with the dark-haired human.
"I regrettably don't see an alternative. If we left him here, who knows what he might do. I'm not sure I want him with us either, especially considering your history, Kratos. If he found out, I'm not sure how he would react." Martel pursed her lips.
"I suppose we might take him with us until we can find a better solution." Kratos sighed, "No doubt there are Summon Spirits in Sylvarant. Perhaps we can leave him there once we are forced to travel that far." He shrugged. Having the Sylvaranti with them would make conversations much more tenuous, for all parties involved.
"So, is there anything you can tell me?" Zerai had a strange look in his eye, Yuan couldn't quite place what it was, but it was definitely furtive.
"I don't get it." The halfling deadpanned, deflating whatever the man was getting at.
"Does Kratos hate me?" The human tried anew, tossing yet another glance at the swordsman across the way. Yuan waved it off.
"He doesn't like you, but I don't think he hates you. He did say thank you, remember? You helped break him out." Yuan smirked slightly, knowing Kratos could probably hear everything he was saying.
"He called us morons!" Zerai hissed back, displeased with Yuan's patronizing tone.
"That's how he says 'thank you'." Yuan laughed, noticing the others seemed to have finished their business, "Anyways, I think they're done. Let's go."
The two of them marched over to an excited Mithos and solemn Martel. Yuan couldn't get a read on Kratos, but he appeared decided on something.
"What's the plan?" He hoped they had come to a conclusion on the next step. "Are we splitting up, or-"
"No." Kratos cut in shortly, "We're heading to Flanoir." Flanoir? Why were they traveling by foot to that frozen wasteland? However, if it was something Kratos wanted to keep from Mysan, then he'd play along for now.
"Okay. We can rest once we make it through the mountains?" The fact that he barely bat an eyelash at the peculiar destination unsettled the other Sylvaranti.
"Wait, where?"
"It would take the better part of six hours to get through the thinnest region." His question was ignored. "We can stop half-way through, I think there's a small village located off of the Potamos River. It could be somewhere in this region if we're lucky." Kratos sighed, eying the exhausted members of the party in mild annoyance.
"Then let's get well into the range before it gets hot." Yuan muttered as everyone began to trudge towards the enormous peaks once again. Standing as close as he was to Kratos, Yuan was the only one to hear the human's next quietly spoken words.
"You're a moron."
Yuan couldn't suppress a grin. So he could hear them.
"You're welcome." He replied cheerily, even more amused when his response earned a twitch of Kratos' eye.
The trek into the mountains led them through deep valleys, the softer portions of the untamed and craggy range. Green could still be seen there, regardless of any looming mana crisis.
The valleys were more gently sloping, a much less strenuous walk than it could've been. Mithos nevertheless felt like lead weights were hanging off of his ankles, rendering his feet incapable of leaving the ground.
This half-dead state he trudged in was a dangerous one. He recognized that, should monsters attack, he could be a goner. However, any small, weak demons that dared to strike were easily dispatched by Kratos and Yuan. Sleepily, the blonde halfling would still follow the arc of the silver blades as they fought, the graceful, lethal weapons skillfully wielded without unnecessary movement. It was beautiful and fascinating, but he was not bold enough to ask for instructions.
A small smile came to his lips upon thought of the short sword that now rested at his belt. Though a crudely crafted blade, it was a real weapon- one he could practice with if he wanted to. Practice what, exactly? He was still working on that. He was far too self-conscious to ask Kratos or Yuan for assistance.
His eye trailed the rocky mountains, tracing the dark crags and crevices with a sigh. The terrain they were traversing was a walk in the park in comparison, yet his legs still ached in protest at the gentle incline strewn with tall grasses and wiry trees. The valley sloped upward as they came closer to the center of the pass between two mountains. When they finally crawled over the apex of the hill, Mithos could spot the glittering snake of the Potamos River Kratos had spoken of. The inky stream cut down the center of the valley, vicious looking, but a landmark all the same. He used a hand to shield the morning sun as his eyes greedily took in the new scenery.
"Hey! Is that what I think it is?" He called out, pointing a questioning finger at the cluster of brown buildings further upstream.
"What luck." Martel sighed gratefully beside him, "There is a small village. It'll be much safer to rest there than risk attack by monsters, even if it's a little out of the way." And out of the way it was, another few hours to the west at the very minimum. "Can we all make it just a bit longer?" Her green eyes swept over the rest of the group, lingering a bit longer on Mithos and Zerai. Mithos huffed in his own defense. He wasn't that tired.
"Of course we can." Yuan flicked his cape behind himself dramatically as he set the new pace downhill, into the bowl of the deeper valley and towards the safe haven that was the little town. Mithos snorted at the theatrics and trotted closely behind, much more enthusiastic to be easing down instead of up.
The leaf-bearing trees of the Meltokio region were now interspersed with coniferous ones, the mountainous biome morphing in to a type of taiga. While they were making good headway, Mithos was suddenly struck with an influx of mana- rising-building-snapping without warning. The boy halted mid step.
"What was th-" The blonde's words tore unevenly as the very ground trembled beneath their feet.
The tall pine trees swayed with a roaring ocean, or maybe a vicious wind ripping through the branches. It lasted but a moment, then the quivering land stilled once again. The small group regained their bearings as the needles from the woody towers fell gently, as if only a breeze had ruffled them free rather than the unexpected calamity.
"An earthquake." Yuan said the obvious, the hint of dryness twisting the statement into a declaration.
"No kidding." Mithos snorted, not for a moment considering that Yuan may have been answering his cut off inquiry. "Are earthquakes mana related? Because it didn't feel ordinary to me." Whenever tremors had become 'ordinary' he couldn't say.
"They're not." Zerai spoke up, not as exhausted as he appeared, apparently. "I was told that they were fueled by the core energy of the planet- something that existed long before the Great Tree arrived." There was sense there.
"I felt it, too" Kratos interjected, "So the cause must have been related to a powerful source of mana." Yuan and Kratos shared a look of suspicion, but Mithos started when he heard a low rumble, positive it was a sign of another quake. Instead, raspy words resounded through his skull.
"Gnome." The voice of Volt was acknowledged by him only, and Mithos caught no sign of the other's noticing it.
"Volt says it's a Summon Spirit named Gnome." He blinked slowly, catching flickers of surprise across the sea of faces. Zerai was the most lost, but as the Sylvaranti was opening his mouth to question, Martel beat him to it.
"You can talk with him?" Mithos shrugged in an 'I-guess-so-shouldn't-you-know-these-things' air. At the confirmation, Martel hummed in thought. "Fascinating." She noted, beginning to resume their walk. Mithos followed her, glance expectantly falling on Zerai, waiting for the inevitable questions. Instead he was met with an exasperated huff.
"You wouldn't answer me anyhow." The raven scowled, limply trailing them. Mithos' mouth curled into a smile. What had Yuan been saying to this man?
Whatever the halfling's tactics were, they were working miracles.
When they found themselves upon the riverside village, Kratos noted that Zerai must have been near to toppling over. The raven teetered on his feet, fatigue getting the better of him. It was no matter, Kratos decided, glancing overhead to judge the time. They had walked into midday, and it had been long enough since any of them slept solidly, so he set about finding an inn- if such a quaint area even had one. They were in such a secluded location, that he couldn't imagine the townspeople had many visitors.
The dirt walkways carved through a rich, silty soil that bore tall reeds and grasses when it was not trodden underfoot. The bank of the Potamos was healthy, sharply cut, and what the entire city was built along. He followed the waters edge, leaving Yuan with the other's to buy food at the market- though they were only left with the teal-haired halfling's scant supply of gald. Perhaps while they were there they could do a few easy jobs to earn some of that lost money back. The water was dark, deep, and fast flowing from the mountain caps, yet it must have been the primary lane of travel, for wooden docks dared to encroach on the powerful streams territory. A few long, wide rafts were tied, bearing flat loads of stone that could've been a valuable ore.
Kratos came to the simple solution that they had stumbled across a minor stepping stone, a docking place bridging the mines of the Fooji Mountains to either the coast, or a tributary leading in to the heart of Tethe'alla. Most of the people that stopped would be miners and traders, or merchants, so a few new faces might not be too out of place.
Spotting what appeared to be the hotel, judging by the signs pressed against the narrow windows, Kratos made his way over to the thatched roof building that lay right on the water. It was a small establishment, and Kratos hoped they could secure rooms for a few hours.
When he entered the inn, he was met with a comely young man wiping down a table. Aside from him, the small, square room was empty. The man paused in his work and threw a disarming smile across the counter.
"Good afternoon Sir, can I help you?" Amiable enough, Kratos inquired upon the pricing of the rooms, and proceeded to check in for the others. The innkeeper jotted down a few things in his records before attempting to engage in friendly conversation.
"We don't see travelers from the forest side often, they usually come down the river. Are you folks soldiers?" Kratos frowned in thought. He meant no harm, but prying was prying.
"No, I am an escort for a research team," He half-lied, "We traveled through the night to make better time." The man was appeased by the effort and fell quiet as he set out the room keys, nodding respectfully as Kratos left the lobby to retrieve the others. They'd have to discuss the 'Gnome' situation eventually, and it was better to consider after rest.
He found Yuan near the neat row of wooden stalls, purchasing gels. The halfling turned when he spotted the human approaching and grinned in greeting.
"Did you know this town is named Chiasmos?" He questioned without purpose. Kratos hned in response and Yuan fell into stride with him. They ran across the others, passing men bundling ores and sifting through rubble near the water on their way back to the inn. The sun was lifted high above, glancing off the choppy water, and Kratos recognized how far they'd gone on so little sleep.
"We can rest up here before moving on." Kratos instructed as they all retired, delegating out the room keys to the others. Mithos yawned while accepting his and Martel's tiny iron key and scratched the back of his head when turning to find the stairs. The kid was very close to falling asleep standing again, so Kratos figured they could talk about this 'Gnome' business later. He twisted his own key in the lock and felt the weight of their travels upon his shoulders. He hadn't allowed himself to focus on the lethargy dripping into his system, but now it was too much to ignore. He was grateful that they had come across such a small village, if not solely for the luxury of a bed. Contrary to the sunlight screaming in from behind the blinds, he fell into a fitful sleep.
"It's all your fault."
Thud. Thud.
Kratos' eyes snapped open instantly as he sprung out of the bed, immediately refocusing on the heavy knocking at the door. His hands were clammy, but altogether he shook off the recurring dream like it had never happened.
"Oi, Kratos!" It was Yuan's voice, and the swordsman relaxed as he twisted the handle open and swung the wood on its hinges.
"What is it?" He answered, having regained his senses, composure, and annoyance at having been woken. The human's ears pricked up when he heard the sound of raised voices outside, however.
"There's some kind of commotion going on out there." Yuan inclined his head towards Kratos' window, shifting his mussed teal ponytail a bit. The more Kratos looked at the halfling, the more he could see that the Sylvaranti had truly just woken up as well.
He sighed softly, running a hand through his hair and snatching his sheath from its resting place near the door. With intrigue, he followed his friend down the stairs and into the lobby of the inn. The narrow windows let in the late afternoon light, a greyer hue than he had last seen, but he was far more interested in the chaotic accumulation of people that were hovering about the dirt path immediately outside. Yuan creaked the inn door open, and the muffled voices became crisp in the wet air.
"-need as many men as can come!" They caught a panicked man in mid-sentence, directing their attention to the long dock where the dirtied man was pleading. His clothes were ripped and bloodied, and the two swordsman joined the back of the crowd curiously. "There are at least fifteen men still trapped in the primary mine! It's impossible to dig through without causing a secondary collapse, and the only side tunnel that might allow us to find them is riddled with monsters. We need anyone we can get." The murmuring of the crowd did not sound like agreement. An older man with a gravelly voice called out.
"We're miners, not fighters! I'd love to help, but I don't know the first things about killing monsters!" A rumble of agreement rang through the others, though concern was still evident.
"What am I supposed to do, then?" the messenger accused fervently.
"Some guests of mine said they were escorts," Kratos turned to spot the inn-keeper on the fringe of the crowd, "and they carried weapons! I'm sure they'd help out!" Yuan pulled at the Tethe'allan's arm.
"It must have been caused by that earthquake earlier." The Sylvaranti murmured grimly. Kratos nodded in acknowledgement.
"Mithos said that it stemmed from a Summon Spirit's power. It'd be worth a shot to check out." Kratos' brow creased as Yuan laughed. "What?" He narrowed his gaze dangerously as his companion swept aqua bangs away from his eyes with a grin.
"And it's the right thing to do, Kratos." The tone was less vaguely scolding than severely amused, and Kratos hummed in annoyance. Attention drawn to the crowd once more in an attempt to blot out his irritating friend, Kratos saw the friendly innkeeper scan the crowd, eyes locking with his own.
"There they are!" He gestured for the two to pick their way through the mob and come out nearer to the dock. At the same moment, Martel, Mithos, and Zerai had stepped out of the hotel, rubbing tired eyes still fresh from sleep.
"We'd be happy to help." Yuan cupped his hands around his mouth to call out over the low roar of the thirty or so villagers, as Kratos got the attention of the halfling siblings and the Sylvaranti fugitive.
It looked like they'd be making an investigation into the mines before heading north.
(A/N) So I wrote a lot of this on the bus to our soccer tournament on my phone. This means I would really appreciate any typo notification! Drop me a review, please? I've got a lot of the next chapter already written, so hopefully it won't be long before another update. Thanks for reading!