Tales of Xalthia

Chapter 37: General's Might

Tsuki and the man continued to stare each other down in silence as alarms from the various damaged machinery and equipment blared. They were like statues as they stood still. They both examined each other as Lynette and the others approached them. Tension and anxiety quickly filled the air. This encounter seemed a bit off compared to their previous encouters.

The man's gaze soon shifted to the weapon Tsuki was holding. As he examined it, he smirked slightly. "Well now, that's an interesting sword you're carrying. I don't know who you are but you carry a rather unique presence" he said. He then looked back up and stared into his eyes. He raised an eyebrow when he saw his distinct red eyes and the strange symbol that marks the Sigil in his eyes. Once he was done, he then turned and examined the rest of his companions. After several minutes of tense silence, the man chuckled. "What an odd group of people. Most of you don't appear to be from Esseand or even Ersheath for that matter" he said.

Ruko took an attack stance as he trained his gaze on the man. "How did you know that?" he asked. He was a bit surprised that he was able to tell they weren't from Esseand just off a brief observation.

The man shook his head with a slight shrug. "Simple. Normal Esseand soldiers wouldn't have the guts to draw their weapons against me. Why would you get yourselves involved in the affairs of another nation that you have no affiliation towards?" he asked.

Cheria drew her bow with an arrow attached to the string, pulling it back. "We're doing it for the sake of the world" she said. Moments later, the arrow became encased with ice. She had it pointed at his head.

The man tilted his head. "For the sake of the world, you say?" he said. He couldn't help but chuckle a bit from her response. He then glanced over at the crystal before looking back at them. "Well, I don't know what you're talking about or why this crystal has anything to do with anything but regardless, if you stand in my way, I'll have no choice but to force my way through" he said.

Tsuki knew from his observation that not only were they in a small space, there was something about the man that made him uneasy. It also appears that he has no idea what's currently going on in the world. He then took a quick glance over at the crystal before looking around the room. It wouldn't be ideal to fight someone in such a small, closed off space. He then jumped towards the crystal, swiping it off the podium. "If we're going to fight, why don't we take this to a more open area?" he asked. He then turned around and ran towards a set of stairs that led further up.

The man quickly chased after him, leaving the others behind. Soon, they reached the very top of the tower. At the top, there was nothing but an overlook. The sharp winds of being so high up in the air and exposed to the outside blew past them. They could hear the wind's whistle. There was no means of escape from this point. The only other way down is over the edge where they were several stories up from the ground and even further down from the water at the base of the cliff. Tsuki was standing on the side of the tower that overlooked the sheer drop to the ocean below.

The man took an attack stance, holding his sword up. "They call me Flynn Callus, General of Dolothlond's First Knight Corps" he said as he formally introduced himself. He examined Tsuki once more, studying him. It was clear that he wasn't an ordinary bystander. The presence he's been giving off, the look in his eyes and his posture. It was clear he was a fighter but he knew that he was more than just a fighter. He had military training. Usually, soldiers that serve under a kingdom bear some sort of emblem or insignia that serves as proof and representation for the kingdom they serve. However, he couldn't find such a thing on Tsuki as he was wearing pretty generic clothing. "You're no ordinary fighter. Tell me who you really are" he said. Flynn was a swordsman at heart. He would like to know who his opponents are before fighting no matter who they are or where they came from.

Tsuki took a defensive stance as he also studied the man as he introduced himself. Past the hard exterior of a military general, he could see the fire of a true swordsman burning in his eyes. He could sympathize with him a little bit. "My name is Tsuki Himura. I serve as one of Eresseas' Royal Eight" he said.

Flynn raised an eyebrow once more. The reputation of Eresseas' Royal Eight is well known throughout the world. Eresseas wasn't a very strong kingdom when it came to military power but the Royal Eight were a separate elite force that was similar to how Nargelond's Dragon Riders are. The fact that he has encountered one so far away from home and involved in the affairs of another kingdom seemingly incognito due to a lack of any sort of emblem or insignia of his origins intrigues him. "Interesting. This day is just full of surprises. I wasn't expecting to run into one of the Royal Eight here of all places. I wonder what brings you so far from home" he said. He then lunged towards him, swinging his sword in a left sweeping motion. He then lunged towards him, swinging his sword in a sweeping motion from the left.

Tsuki flipped the greatsword upside down with the blade pointing down and blocked the attack, causing red sparks to shoot off when the steel blade collided with the red blade of pure Mana. "Unfortunately, this isn't the time or place to discuss why I'm here. However, what Cheria said is right. We're doing this for the sake of the world" he said. He then broke their clash by swinging his sword upwards before bringing it straight back down on him.

Flynn brought his sword up over his head and blocked the attack, using both hands to sustain the block due to the sheer force of the downward strike. "You're not half bad. Swift and precise motions of the blade despite its size. You've certainly got talent and skill" he said. He then pushed his sword upwards, breaking the clash once more before jumping back and rolled his head along his shoulders. He then proceeded to do a series of stretches and squats to get his blood pumping. "Alright then. I suppose that's enough warm-up. It's time for me to get serious" he said, taking an attack stance.

Tsuki took his own attack stance as there was some distance put between them. He couldn't help but feel both nervous due to the fact that all of this was simply a warm-up and excited at the same time. He felt sensation of battle rise within him, causing him to smirk a bit. "I couldn't agree more" he said.

Several moments of silence passed between them. You could hear the sharp, high-pitched whistling from the wind blowing past them. Then, the two quickly shot towards each other and began to fight once again only this time, it was more intense. It wasn't long until Lynette and the others, the wounded man included, finally caught up to them. Most of the injuries the man sustained had been healed by Lynette's healing Artes. Tsuki and Flynn were locked in an intense, high-pitched combat that left no room for anyone else to jump into. The force of their attacks caused shockwaves to shoot out each time their weapons clashed. All they could do was sit and watch the battle as it unfolded.

As the two fought, a sense of uneasiness started to flow through Elle. "Something doesn't feel quite right. Even with the power of the Sigil, they both seem evenly matched. Caius and Zieg were one thing but this is completely different" she said. Caius wielded Boosters which greatly enhanced his own abilities such as strength and speed while Zieg wielded a strange, incredible dark force that caused him to be sealed away for four hundred years. Flynn was an ordinary human who isn't under the influence of any Booster nor can she feel any sort of dark force that could buff up his abilities.

Nagi looked at Elle, tilting her head. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Elle's sense of unease was pretty evident on her face as she continued to watch the two fight intensely as she did her best to study and assess Flynn. "When Tsuki faced off against Caius in Basilwell several months ago, he was still inexperienced. Caius was under the effects of Boosters when he overpowered Tsuki. Zieg is an Ancient from the days of old, who retained the dark force that turned him into a menace which resulted in him being sealed away. In terms of base strength, Zieg outclasses Tsuki even with the Sigil. This man, an ordinary human, is different. He's able to hold his own effortlessly while he's utilizing the Sigil's power" she said. She's been having a hard time trying to study Flynn. From his behavior to his fighting style.. From anyone's viewpoint, he wasn't just an ordinary military General. Elle sensed that there was something else but it was like there was this fog around him that's hiding his true nature.

The man who was fighting Flynn before stepped forward a bit, still holding onto his katana. "Flynn Callus, General of Dolothlond. He's the strongest person in all of Dolothlond's military. His strength on the battlefield is fierce and a force to be reckoned with. He doesn't rely on cheap tricks and things like Boosters in order to become stronger. All he uses is pure strength and the Exsphere embedded in the hilt of his sword. The fact that your friend is able to fight with him on even grounds is nothing short of amazing. Not many people can do that, whether it's by natural strength of from the effects of being buffed up by Artes or Boosters" he said.

Cesela looked up over at the fight and focused her gaze on Flynn's sword where she saw a light blue crystal object in the hilt. Once she saw it, she looked up at the man. "Boosters? Expheres? What are those?" she asked. Due to her being enslaved most of her life, she still isn't very knowledgeable about a lot of things in the world. Boosters and Expheres were one of many foreign concepts for her.

Luan kneeled down to Cesella's eye level. "Boosters are devices that greatly enhance a person's physical capabilities. However, they have a negative effect on the body if they're used too much. As a result, they're only allowed for military purposes and only if it's authorized. Expheres are special stones that cap tap into the use o fMana by using the surrounding Aer, allowing the use of Artes. They're commonly used among adventurers who don't possess the native ability to tap into Mana" she said. The field of research that delves into Expheres and Boosters is very extensive. There's always something new to research.

Phi nodded as Luan explained what Expheres and Boosters were to Cesela. "Expheres used to be very unstable and potentially very dangerous to humans a long time ago. If they're used without being properly mounted onto something, the repercussions would result into a number of things. Cellular breakdown. death, illness and things like that. There have even been some cases where humans would literally turn into monsters" she said.

The thought of a human turning into a monster and the other potential risks of using an unmounted Exsphere sent a cold chill down Cesela's spine. It frightened her. "That's scary..." she said.

Luan patted her head, giving her a warm, comforting smile. "Don't worry. Exspheres these days are formed from condensed Aer and carefully refined in various manufacturers and facilities. They all have special Artes embedded into them that serve as a safety net so even if they aren't properly mounted, the Artes would activate and prevent those things from happening to the user. she said.

Silence once again filled the air as their conversation ended as the fighting continued on, keeping the same intensity as from when it first started. Minutes passed by and the longer the fight dragged on, Ramza also started to develop a feeling that something wasn't right. He eventually shook his head. "Exspheres only grant a small boost in power as they're mostly used to tap into Mana and allow the use of Artes. There's something else in play here" he said.

The fight continued on, leaving them with no opening to jump in to assist Tsuki. They felt pretty helpless, not being able to do anything. With such intensity of power display, it was difficult for anyone to take action as they felt that they'd be more of a hinderance. Power struggles like these are better left for the ones taking part in it otherwise you'd risk getting yourself caught up in a heated struggle. Eventually, the two clashed once more and stood their ground, looking at each other. After a moment, Flynn broke the clash by swinging his sword to the right with enough force to push Tsuki back towards the edge of the tower, putting distance between them. Although the fight looked pretty even, Tsuki was starting to struggle to keep up with Flynn as the power from the Sigil started to fade. The longer he used the Sigil, the more of his energy drained. Flynn, however, appeared as if he was still fighting at his peak.

Flynn was staring to grow tired of the fight. The difference between their skill was huge. It was becoming a one-sided battle at this point. He sighed heavily, scratching the back of his head. "I'll admit, you put up a great fight. Not many are able to fight me on common grounds in terms of power. Your skills could still use some improvement, however. I think I finally understand why Emma and Taichi appointed you into the Royal Eight" he said.

Tsuki was caught off-guard when Flynn mentioned the King and Queen of Eresseas by name. He didn't know how to react to him. "Wait, what? What did you just say?" he asked.

Flynn looked off in the direction Eresseas would be in. "Those two always had a knack of seeing a person's hidden strengths and potential. It would seem that their keen insight still continues to this day. They opt for peace and diplomacy but wield probably one of the most deadliest traits a leader could have" he said.

Tsuki wasn't sure on how to respond to him. He didn't expect him to bring up Taichi and Emma and speak about them with a sense of familiarity. "How do you know about them? For a foreign kingdom General, you seem awfully familiar with them" he said.

Flynn chuckled to himself as he looked back at Tsuki. "You can say that we used to be former companions. I traveled the world with them before they became King and Queen. Taichi in particular was quite insistent that I should join them in their travels among others" he said.

Tsuki was in disbelief. An old friend and traveling companions of Taichi and Emma serving a hostile nation like Dolothlond. "Traveling companion? Then, you might be able to help us!" he said.

Flynn tilted his head. "Help you?" he asked. Ever since he introduced himself, he couldn't figure out why Taichi and Emma would send one of their knights out into the affairs of another kingdom. "Come to think of it, why is one of their elite knights so far from home and meddling in the affairs of another kingdom? On some sort of peace mission? If so, your actions that you've taken so far puts their well-kept neutrality at great risk" he said.

Tsuki was surprised that Flynn asked such a question. The news of Eresseas' fall should of hit worldwide news by now but not only that, it was strange that someone with close, personal ties with Taichi and Emma were unaware of what's happened to them. "You don't know? Eresseas has fallen, seized by Honegroth. The King and Queen stayed back to hold off their forces in order for us to escape safely" he said.

Shock and surprise quickly overcame Flynn but he quickly recomposed himself. He wasn't sure how to process the sudden news. "What? Fallen...? How can this be?" be said

Tsuki could use this opportunity to his advantage. Having someone like Flynn on their side could prove to be a great asset to them in many ways. "They need all the help they can get. A former companion could be a great help to us. We don't know what's currently going on in Eresseas due to an impenetrable barrier that covers the entire capital and the only way to get through it is to destroy it using the Relic Keys"

Flynn fell silent for a moment as he processed the information. As much as he'd like to help out his former allies, he was unable to do so due to his current position. He soon shook his head and then took another attack stance. "I'd love to help out but unfortunately, I'll have to decline" he said. He didn't like the fact that his old friends were in trouble, or worse possibly dead but given his position in the Dolothlond military, his activities are very restricted. "As General of Dolothlond, I have to take my position into account. I can't go playing hero like the old days in another kingdom. I no longer possess the freedom I once had" he said.

Tsuki shook his head. He can understand where he was coming from. Before Eresseas fell, he wanted to continue traveling with Ramza and the others around Cayhill but since he was a royal knight, his duties prevented him from doing so. Not only that but it wouldn't look very good if a General of another kingdom was offering a helping hand to another kingdom that wasn't an official ally. However, his refusal to help his old friends and companions irritated him to some extent regardless of duty. "But, they're old friends right? Isn't there anything you can do!?" he asked.

Flynn gave him a look of remorse. "Unfortunately, no. There's absolutely nothing I can do to help you or my former companions. It's not within my power or authority. The only thing I'm able to do is to retrieve that crystal for His Majesty" he said.

The other man that was initially fighting him in the room below looked on as he eavesdropped on their conversation. A lot of it didn't make sense to him. Flynn was indeed a man bound by his duty. However, he was frustrated that he apparently didn't seem to grasp what the real issue is. "Don't you realize who it was that overthrew Eresseas? The scandal and deception that's spreading through our very own Courts!? This whole thing started when that foreign swordsman from Honegroth appeared before His Majesty! Can't you look beyond your duties and see the real issue at hand!?" he shouted. Without hesitation, he quickly lunged forward while Flynn's back was facing him despite the fact that his injuries weren't fully healed yet. Once he was within striking range, he swung his katan in right vertical motion.

Flynn quickly spun around and parried the strike. "His Majesty's word is law. Once he sends out his orders marked with his official stamp, we're obligated to accept them. Denying direct orders is considered insubordination. No matter what the objective is, we must obey!" he said. Just then, his blade was enveloped with lightning. With a swift swing, he broke the parry by swinging his sword horizontally while at the same time releasing a stream of lightning, pushing the man back towards the edge facing the sea.

Ramza looked at the three of them as he tried to come up with a plan of action. If Tsuki is having a hard time even when he's aided by the power of the Sigil, then their chances of winning aren't looking too good. They didn't exactly have many escape options either due to the fact that they were high up in the air and had only one exit. "The more this drags on, the more clear it is that we're outmatched. I suggest that we retreat for now before things get worse" he said.

Before anyone could say or do anything, Cesela ran out from the group towards the man along the edge. Cheria tried to stop her but was unable to as she ran out in the middle of a battle. "Cesela, wait! It's too dangerous to be out there!" she shouted.

Cesela stepped in front of the man who was down on one knee as sparks of electricity came off him as he felt the affects of paralysis from Flynn's attack. She wasn't quite sure what she was thinking or even doing but she knew that something else was going on. She could smell it. "This is crazy! You guys are from the same kingdom right? Can't you guys come to an understanding and work things out? I don't really know what's going on here but there's something wrong with all of this. I can smell it!" she said.

The man felt the adverse affects of paralysis from Flynn's attack. Every time he tried to move even an inch, sparks would fly out as he felt jolts of electricity surge through him. He was unable to move or act as a small fox girl stepped in front of him. It was the first time he really got a good look at her. "You're...a Demi-Human, correct? What do you mean?" he asked.

Cesela shook her head. She wasn't quite sure on how to answer his question as she wasn't sure of what was going on herself. However, she did know that this whole setup seems off. "The smell in the air. It's almost as if there's this presence that's watching this whole scenario unfold. Flynn doesn't have the scent of someone who's been corrupted of power or someone who would take actions such as this willingly. I can feel and smell it. You know that deep down inside of you, something is very wrong with this whole thing don't you?" she asked, looking up at Flynn with solidarity in her face.

Flynn looked down at Cesela as a brief moment of surprise came over his face but quickly disappeared before anyone noticed. He didn't expect someone like her to literally sniff out the truth. However, he kept his composure as the electricity around his blade started to crackle. "I'll agree that the recent behavior and orders from His Majesty have began to sound a bit strange and uncharacteristic. However, regardless of what I feel and think, I'm duty-bound to my orders and I will see that they're fulfilled. No matter the cost" he said. He aimed the tip of his blade at them as a ball of electricity started to form. He hesitated for several moments before firing it off at the man and Cesela.

Cheria was shocked that he'd attack a defenseless child, let alone point his weapon at one. Unfortunately, there was little that she could do now. "Cesela!" she shouted.

Before the ball of electricity got too close to them, Tsuki charged forward, putting himself between the attack and them and used his sword to block it. Bolts of electricity sparked past them. Almost immediately upon blocking the attack, something felt off with it. The attack wasn't very strong and given Flynn's capabilities, his Artes should be as strong as his fighting skills. He soon felt that he was being pushed back by the attack but not too much. He strengthened his ground as he soon managed to swing his sword downward through the ball of electricity, cutting it in half. However, as soon as he split the attack, Flynn was within arm's reach of him with his left arm pulled back, his fist enveloped by a blue aura. He had no time to react as Flynn leaned in closer to him. However, he didn't attack right away. Instead, he whispered something in Tsuki's ear which threw him even more off-guard. Afterwards, Flynn slammed his fist against Tsuki's chest, releasing a shockwave blast from his hand that sent all three of them over the edge of the tower. It all happened so fast that it was as if time itself had slowed down so that the whole encounter could play out. There was nothing they could do now as Tsuki, Cesela and the man plunged down into the sea below. All that they can hear as they were blown off was the scream of Cheria screaming out to them.

To be continued...