VA's English & Japanese for all OC characters this chapter (Even those who appear in Flashbacks):
Cian Mac Gallagher: English VA: Zach Aguilar: Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer), David (Cyberpunk Edgerunners), Byleth (Fire Emblem Three Houses), Arthur Pendragon (Seven Deadly Sins) Sieg (Fate Apocrypha)
Japanese VA: Natsuki Hanae: Tanjiro Kamado (Demon Slayer), Sieg (Fate Apocrypha)
Mebd Mac Caomhanach: English VA: Felecia Angelle: Miku Nakano (The Quintessential Quintuplets), Emi Yusa (The Devil is a Part Timer) Suzune Horikita (Classroom of the Elite), Mana Takamiya (Date A Live)
Japanese VA: Miyuki Sawashiro: Sinon/Shino Asada (Sword Art Online), Mordred (Fate Apocrypha & Fate Grand Order)
Cian
"You've been with her longer Bell; what do you think she would like?" Cian asked, as the two walked along passed the market stalls.
Bell held his chin as they stopped outside a jewelry stand. "Crazy enough, I don't really know."
"Well, that do you normally do for her when you have extra money?" Cian asked, unsure himself.
Bell met his eyes. "Normally I'd just buy her a nice dinner. What about you, did you ever get anything for Lady Scathach?"
Cian chuckled, his face getting red. "Ha… a few times yeah. Lady Scathach actually really liked potato snacks, kind of like Lady Hestia, so I always bought her some with the little bit of money I had."
Bell laughed. "Ha, maybe that's why they got along so well."
"Maybe," Cian said, as he and Bell knelt towards the necklaces. "But I'd feel bad just bringing her back potato snacks, she works at a cart anyway."
"Yeah you do have a point… well, let's keep looking," Bell said, as they moved on.
The sun was hot, and Cian was grateful. With his luck, it normally rained on his days off. Welf was at his shop, Mikoto and the Takemikazuchi familia were going into the dungeon together, and Lillie hadn't been feeling well, so he and Bell had the day to themselves while Lady Hestia was working. After his fall down the dungeon with Lefiya two days prior, he felt like taking a bit of a break. The day was nice, full of citizens adventures, not to hot, not too cold, and after all the fighting it felt pretty good to just be out alone with Bell. Cian liked to go to the church he and Lady Hestia stayed at often, but the times it had just been the two of them together were slim.
And, it had almost been two months now since Cian had joined Lady Hestia's familia. Bell had the great idea to have a small party, and Cian wanted to thank Lady Hestia in some way, so they decided to go out and find her something before she returned back from work later.
Okay… okay, what to get a goddess… oh. OH! That's it! Cian thought, as he remembered something from a year ago.
Cian stopped in the middle of the street. "Got it-. GAHH!"
"ARGHH!" Bell yelled, bumping into him before they both fell. He groaned as he rolled next to him. "Why did you stop?!"
"Sorry! I had an idea," He said, shooting to his feet and helping Bell up as well, as people walked around the two of them. "It's perfect! We did something similar for Lady Scathach last year!"
Bell rubbed his head and looked at him. They were both dressed without their armor on, they really did look like siblings or at least familia members. They both wore their long black pants and boots, Cian had left the Gae Bulg at his room, and only had Cruaidin at his waist, while Bell had both his knives, but they'd left their armor at home. He kinda hated having to go back for it, but the idea was too good!
"Oh yeah?" Bell asked him. "What is it?"
Cian snapped, remembering it like it was yesterday. "Well , last year for the Beltane festival, Chu told us we were going to make something special for Lady Scathach. We went out and hunted an Ossory Wolf!"
Bell looked at him confused. "Okay… and?"
Cian chuckled nervously, remembering Bell would have no idea what that was. "Well, Ossory Wolves are some of the strongest monsters in Ulster. They're massive wolves on par with a level 6, but they say if you defeat one and take one of its teeth, it's one of the greatest trophies you could have!"
Now, Bell seemed interested. "Oh wow, and with how powerful your familia was I bet it was nothing!"
Cian nodded, a bit of smugness to his tone. "You bet it wasn't anything at all! I… had to stay back and just watch, but it was scary for sure. Chu took the thing down with the Gae Bulg. After that, we took the tooth that was its drop item, and paid for an item maker to make it into a necklace for Lady Scathach!"
Bell nodded in understanding. "I see… do you think we should make something ourselves?"
"Exactly!" Cian said excitedly. "We can ask Ms. Eina what kind of monsters drop cool items! We'll go hunt one down, have it made into some kind of jewelry and we can give her that!"
Bell smiled and nodded. "That's an awesome idea! I bet she'd really appreciate it; I know Goddess Hestia doesn't have much jewelry."
"It's settled then!" Cian said, smirking with satisfaction, before he realized a small hole in his plane. "Um… one problem though."
"Huh, what is it?" Bell asked.
Cian chuckled nervously as he looked at all the shops and looked at all the very large numbers on necklaces and bracelets. He bit the inside of his lip and turned to Bell.
"Well… we'd need other materials for it as well," He explained as they had stopped in front of another jewelry stand. "We also would need money for those things but most of all… an item maker isn't cheap, it's even more expensive if you want something made really well."
"Oh, you're right… could we maybe ask Welf?" Bell suggested.
Cian shook his head. "Even if he could do it, he said he'll be busy for the next day or two. And by then we may have something else we need to spend money on. Maybe… I could ask Lefiya? Maybe someone in Loki Familia could?"
"No… I talked to Ms. Ais yesterday, she said they're going on an expedition soon, they'd probably be too busy," Bell said, looking at the ground.
Cian nodded, disappointed as well. "Yeah… and besides, I don't think they'd be cheap either. This sucks, where can we find an item maker who-."
"Ciaaaaaaaan! Bellllll!"
Bell and he spun back around. Cian scanned the crowd for who could be calling his name, it was hard with so many people about. He knew that after The Sons of Tuireann had attacked him and Lefiya in the dungeon a few days ago, thanks to Ms. Eina the guild was on high alert. That led to a lot more familias being hired and asked to patrol along the streets and outside Orario. It led to a lot more people than usual being out on the streets.
However, this happened to be two people he recognized.
Bell smiled first and waved. "Oh Miss Mebd! Miss Asfi!"
"Mebd, Asfi, what are you guys doing out here?" Cian asked, as the two members of Hermes familia stepped through the crowd in front of them.
Mebd got to them and smiled. She'd gotten some new armor since coming to Orario. She wore brown leather armor, with some links of chainmail with leather outlines along her shoulders. A bandolier with four smaller knives strapped just across her shoulder, over a brown patched gambeson, along with leather bracers, and both swords at her side. Her boots were nice leather too, and her tight black pants looked comfortable and easy to move in. He'd seen Mebd fight up close-she had once been his enemy after all- and knew it was perfect armor for her.
Her pale skin was clean and bright, the small amount of freckles across the bridge of her nose were visible in the sunlight, as her long red hair fell down her back. Behind her, followed Asfi Al Andromeda, the Hermes familia Captain, who according to Mebd, was a huge reason she was alive right now.
"We… we just left a meeting with Lord Hermes!" She said, sucking in a breath and steadying her breathing as she looked at them both. "Asfi and I were just heading outside Orario!"
"Outside Orario?!" Cian asked, looking to Asfi. "Why would you guys be going there?"
"Yeah especially now," Bell added. "There's more security then normal."
Asfi smiled and looked to Mebd. "As crazy as it sounds, it's a celebration for Mebd."
"Huh? A celebration?" Cian asked, looking at Mebd who got bright red. "What happened?"
"Well… Lord Hermes just got done a meeting with the other gods," She said sheepishly, her eyes falling to the ground as she smiled. "He… recognized me, and they picked a name for me."
Cian's smile grew, he smiled as wide as Mebd did. He looked to Bell who was doing the same thing, they both knew how big this was. He knew that at first, Lord Hermes hadn't told the guild or anyone about Mebd. It had been so soon after news of the Morrigan familia had gotten to the gods, Lord Hermes didn't want to take a chance of announcing a new level 3 adventurer he'd found after returning from a trip to Ulster, that would have looked far too suspicious.
And right after that, Mebd had escorted two gods into the Dungeon, another thing that would have gotten Lord Hermes in deep trouble. So, now that some time had passed, it seemed Lord Hermes could finally announce her to the others. Cian assumed they made up some story of Mebd coming from another familia outside Orario. She already had been, had the falna, but now Mebd was officially a member of the Hermes familia.
Of course, Cian knew it meant much more to Mebd then just getting a new name.
He smiled at her and nodded. "That's fantastic Mebd! I'm so happy for you seriously, you earned this!"
"Cian's right Ms. Mebd! Congratulations," Bell said after him.
Mebd got flustered, pulled the black cloak she was wearing over her face, and twisted a small bit of her red hair in her finger. "Ha… thanks, both of you. I… I really can't believe it myself."
"Well believe it, because you're one of us now," Asfi said, holding a hand on Mebd's shoulder and smiling at them. "To answer your question Bell Cranel, it's sort of a celebratory quest for Mebd getting her name. Not to mention there's some materials for the next few items I'm crafting at… why are you both looking at me like that?"
Cian and Bell's mouth both fell open at the same time. They looked at each other slack jawed and both seemed to have the same idea at the same time. Nodding to each other they turned and bowed.
"Ms. Asfi! PLEASE HELP US!"
OP: Hello To Dream, DanMachi S2
The Argonaut and The Child of Light
Tales From Orario: Mac Caomhanach The Anneal Blade
Cian
Mebd Mac Caomhanach
Level 3
Strength: H 112
Endurance: H 187
Dexterity: G 287
Agility: F 395
Magic: F 399
Magic: Gaoth, Astar Na Gaoithe, Gailfen Tiofun
Skills:
Swordsman, increased stats and ability when wielding a sword
Windrunner, increased control/manipulation of wind magic granting increased speed and power of flight while wind is active.
Anneal, unlocks the power of The Anneal Blade, the Sword of the Winds.
Cian's eyes went wide. "Wow Mebd this is amazing! Having these stats after only being level 3 for a few weeks is incredible!"
She cheekily shook her head. "It's not much, especially compared to you and Bell."
"You give us too much credit," He assured her, looking at the paper again. "I can't believe it's actually real! I heard so many stories about Clan Mac Caomhanach and the Anneal Blade and now I'll get to see it!"
Mebds' face went as red as her hair, taking back her status page. "Thanks… even if I don't use the sword, I'll just feel better knowing that it's in my families' hands."
Bell walked next to them and shook his head. "You've been talking about this sword, but… what's so special about it? Is it another magic weapon like your spear Cian?"
Cian nodded and looked at his friend. "It is! The Anneal Blade is the sword of Clan Mac Caomhanach, it's been used by them for centuries!"
"That's right," Mebd said, a smile forming on her face. "The Anneal Blade's our family heirloom, it has a special power only my family can use. My… my brother had it last, it's been lost since he died."
"It was really kind of Lord Hermes to track it down for you though," Cian said, trying to sound reassuring. "And now that the skill's appeared on your status, you'll be able to use it!"
Mebd smiled, but Cian could tell it was fake. "Yeah… I… guess I could."
Cian and Bell looked at each other. He was about to say something else, and enquire further about what was wrong, but Asfi returned before he could.
"Alright, I found him," The Hermes familia captain said, urging the man forward. "Go on, tell them what you told me."
Cian hopped off the small stone wall he'd been sitting on, snatching the Gae Bulg into his right hand. Bell joined him along with Mebd, and Cian looked at the tiny merchant. He was an older man, and Cian felt a bit bad for him, he probably had just gotten caught up in everything that was happening. Lord Hermes had said he found out initially, the Anneal Blade had been looted from the forest where Mebd's brother had died by some scavengers. Instead of returning it to Clan Mac Caomhanach, it passed through some shady traders, until it had been traced back to the small town they were at now.
It wasn't large, or far from Orario, only being a few hours out. If everything went well, they should be back at the city by nightfall. It was a small fishing town near some coast, and the smell of fish reminded Cian of the multiple port cities he'd visited with Lady Scathach. She had always told him you could find basically anything in power cities no matter how small they were. In this case, it was a good outcome either way for him and Bell.
First, they'd be able to help out Mebd who was their friend. Second, Asfi had promised to make them the present for Lady Hestia for free in return for their help in this quest. Of course, Asfi herself was level 4, and Mebd was level 3, but she thought having him and Bell along would have been a big help. The two of them didn't mind of course, plus they both were sure they could find something nice to make lady Hestia's present out of.
It was hot, very hot outside, but the ocean breeze kept him cool, the smell of fish was overpowering, but he didn't mind. They'd both gotten their armor and weapons, and set out right away, and after searching through the rows of small village huts and shops, Asfi finally seemed to find the merchant that they had been looking for. Cian recognized the old man, as the one who'd been in charge of the weapons shop they passed through, where Mebd had bought a few smaller knives.
"I… I swear! I didn't know it was important, I just thought it looked exotic!" The man pleaded, standing in the middle of the four of them, looking terrified. "Thought I could copy the style of sword it was, then sell that for a profit!"
"And I'm guessing you had no idea at all you were buying from a foreign scavenger?" Asfi scoffed, glaring at the man. "You just thought it was normal for the guy to have such a powerful looking weapon?"
The man's eyes bulged. "I… I swear! If I had known it was a nobles sword I would have turned him in! But… but we're not in Ulster, so I just thought-."
"This is pointless," Asfi sighed, taking a step towards the man and narrowing her eyes. "I don't care about your story, even though I got half a mind to turn you in for-."
"Asfi, it's okay," Mebd said, cutting her off. Cian watched Mebd turn to the man and take a step towards him. "Please, just tell us where the sword is now. It's important to me and my family."
Cian looked at her, and saw that she was smiling, her words were calm, soft and welcoming. It was times like this he completely forgot the first encounter he ever had with Mebd, when she'd almost killed him. He knew that this quest, her new name from the gods, it meant much more then just getting a powerful sword back for her.
It was a step for her, a major step towards one day forgiving herself.
The man stammered for a moment. "I… I… I'm sorry! It never even made it to my shop!"
Mebd's eyes widened, but it was Asfi who stepped forward.
"What?!" Asfi said, towering over the man. "You'd better explain, and quick."
The man twiddled his thumbs, nervously looking down. "W…well, you see, I normally get my items from Machar stuffed in regular shipments. They don't really inspect cargo much here you see and it makes-."
"Get to the point," Asfi hissed.
"Right! Sorry, sorry…" The man said, gulping as he looked at all four of them. "You… you see, the shipment that was supposed to have your sword miss, it was attacked in the swamps just outside town. Dozens of shipments the last few weeks have gone missing. I'm guessing it's somewhere there."
Mebd shook her head. "Alright, where's this swamp?"
The man pointy a bony finger. "Just a few miles west dear…. I… I hope in return for my cooperation you'll well… keep quiet about-."
"Get out of here," Asfi ordered the man. "Try not to buy from scavengers anymore."
The man didn't waste any time. He nodded, and took off with surprising speed, running through the muddy streets back towards his shop near the water. Cian couldn't help but chuckle, while Bell was already looking west towards the forest.
"A swamp huh… how dangerous could it be?" He asked, looking back at them.
Cian scoffed. "In Ulster, there's hundreds of swamps. Plenty of monsters could be found there."
"Yes but… we're not in Ulster, I don't get it," Mebd said, shaking her head. "The areas around here should be safe."
"Either way, we should get moving," Asfi said, looking to Mebd. "Wouldn't you say?"
Cian smirked and nodded. "Yeah, wouldn't you say 'Windrunner'?"
Bell chuckled as Mebd got embarrassed. Cian didn't know why; he thought his name from the gods was a good one and made sense for him. It was the same for Mebd as well, but when he called her that, she seemed sheepish, and slowly nodded.
"Yes… I suppose we should," She said, looking not at Cian but past him. "Bell, you have you and Cian's money right? Do you mind coming with me to get some supplies before we go?"
Bell looked confused for a moment. "Me? Well, sure."
"Awesome, we'll be back!" She said, turning and already walking down the street before Cian could say anything.
Bell quickly followed after her, and after a few minutes Cian could see them chatting and walking down the street towards the center of town where he knew the general store was. He and Bell had gotten a few potions from Naaza, but they were the ones that had been left over from previous trips to her store. They'd wanted to keep as much valis as possible and hadn't thought they'd need very many where they were going. Still, he had no idea why Mebd would be in such a rush to go get more supplies.
And… why didn't she ask me? He thought to himself. It wasn't that he was jealous or anything, Bell and Mebd were both his friends, yet still, he couldn't help but wonder why she didn't ask him.
"You're wondering why she didn't ask you to come?" Asfi said behind him.
Cian jumped. "Jeez… can you read minds or something?"
Asfi chuckled and shook her head. "No, you can just be read like a book Lancer of Red."
"You can call me Cian," He assured the captain. "Being called Mr. or by my name from the gods is just too formal for my taste."
Asfi nodded. "Fair enough. It's occurred to me, that we haven't really had a chance to talk since we've set out. As someone Mebd talks about much, I thought this would be a good chance."
Cian suddenly felt his chest thumping. He liked to think he wasn't completely idiotic when it came to romance, despite feeling like it most of the time. He… thought Mebd liked him. He knew Lefiya did, after she had kissed his cheek two days ago-he had made sure not to mention that to Mebd. Still, he hadn't lied to Lefiya, he wasn't sure how to tell what he felt for people yet. Of course, he loved a great many people, Bell, Lady Hestia, all of his party, and that list included people like Mebd, Lefiya, Ryuu and Mikoto.
Yet he still didn't know what being in love meant, or how it felt. He tried to listen to Lady Hestia's advice, when she told him about that simple intrinsic feeling of just knowing. He'd felt it a few times yet… he still didn't know what to do.
But still, no matter what, hearing Mebd talked about him got his face hot.
"Ha… she does talk about me huh?" He asked Asfi.
Asfi nodded. "Yes, very much she does. She thanks you for this new chance she'd been given."
Cian scoffed at that. "Ha, that was all you and Lord Hermes. She really holds you in high regard too, she tells me all the time how much you've done."
Asfi for the first time seemed a little embarrassed as well. "Well… I will admit, I have taken quite a liking to her. So has Lord Hermes. Yet… she thanks you for the second chance she was given. If I were you, I'd realize how much of an impact you've had on her. That's the reason she left with Bell Cranel just now and not you I'm assuming."
Cian stammered. "T…that's why?!"
"Yes… this name she's received from the gods, finding her family sword," Asif said, shaking her head. "It reminds her all of home, and what she's done, and how far she thinks she needs to go for redemption."
"But… Mebd's done so much already," Cian said, clueless. "She did something horrible yeah but… I forgive her, Bell does, we all do, she's saved us dozens of times."
"Yes, but still she feels she had something to prove," Asfi said, meeting Cian's eyes. "To you most of all, for giving her this chance. Not to mention her feelings for you. Going on a quest like this with you? She's sure to be nervous."
Cian sighed, leaning back against the wall with the Gae Bulg in hand. He ran a hand through his sweaty black hair and thought on what Asfi said. It made complete sense yes, but the last thing he wanted was his friend, an ally he had to feel that way around him. Should he respond to Mebd's feelings, would that put her at ease? The thing was, he didn't know what his feelings for Mebd were, just like he'd told Lefiya a few days ago. Should he talk to her, reassure her he trusted her? No, he'd been doing that so far, and she still felt the need to prove herself.
Sometimes Cian, all you can do for people, is be there, and listen. It had been something Fergus had taught him long ago.
He assumed that was the best course of action with Mebd. Especially after the events of a few days ago. When he'd told Mebd Morrigan had sent assassins after him, she had been particularly distraught over it. Cian thought it was partially because Lefiya had been the one to save him, and that Mebd hadn't been ready for an attack from her old familia. It was ridiculous, and he'd told her that, but she hadn't been convinced.
"I don't want her to be nervous… I don't want her conflicted," Cian said, looking up at Asfi. "I want her to know she deserves this. She's my friend, I… don't know about what other feelings I have for anyone, but I know that. I won't let down the trust she's placed in me, especially with what's to come."
Cian felt good about that. Although he did know that soon, he'd have to figure out his feelings for the people in his life and what kind of feelings they were. His biggest fear was upsetting any of them, but all he could do for that was hope their relationships were deep enough.
Beyond his personal feelings, Morrigan had already sent three people to try and kill him. Luckily he'd been with Lefiya, someone who could help him. If he had been alone, there could have been a real chance he'd died in that fight. He knew as well that the Sons of Tuireann weren't going to be the last people Morrigan sent after her. If what Mebd told him was true, there were other members of the Morrigan familia that were even more dangerous then the three brothers.
And then of course, there was Connla…
Asfi smiled and nodded at him. "A very good answer, Cian Mac Gallagher. I'm glad that she has someone like you she can rely on as well as me. That said…"
"Huh?" Cian said, as she took a step closer. "What is-. ARGH!"
"I'm not telling you that you have to return her romantic feelings," Asfi said, grabbing hold of his collar and yanking him inches from her face. "However, I swear to every god in Orario if you break that girls heart I will personally snap your spear and you in half. Do I make myself clear?"
Cian had been terrified many times in his life. This one may have taken the cake.
"Y…Yes ma'am!" He squeaked, as Asfi nodded and dropped him.
"Good, now come on we should go and scout the outskirts of the forest for monsters," She said, walking past him as if nothing happened.
Cian stammered for a minute, rubbing around his neck, and gulping. The look in her eyes then had been like nothing Cian had ever seen on Asfi. The only one with a more intimidating glare was probably Ryuu, and Cian folded under that easily enough. He shuddered, and quickly followed after her.
"That was horrifying…" He whispered, as he looked at the back of the Hermes familia captain. He managed to smile. "Well… good to know you got plenty more people looking out for you Mebd."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Mebd
"Ha, this certainly reminds you of home, doesn't it?" Cian said, the Gae Bulg poking the ground as they walked through the swampy ground. "Oh man, the elder used to keep men posted on the outskirts of the swamps near Trefor. I got smacked more than a few times for trying to sneak past."
She scoffed, looking at him wide eyed. "And why would you want to sneak past into those swamps? My father had to ask Lord Nuada to send adventurers dozens of times to clear it out."
He chuckled, nervously scratching his chin. "Ha… wanted to fight a monster, kill it and show off for the villagers. I was a huge troublemaker before Lady Scathach set me straight."
Mebd couldn't help but laugh. "Haha, I'm trying to imagine little Cian running around causing trouble for people. You're so straight laced now; I've seen you cleaning tables at Mama Mia's!"
"Ha, a year with Lady Scathach will do that to you," He said, a fondness in his voice. "You get a smack in the back of the head if you left out your bedroll, didn't wash your dishes right after you were done, your tent wasn't packed away right."
"You really didn't have supporters? I had always thought that was just a rumor," She told him, as she leapt over a large, upturned tree.
Cian shook his head as he followed. "Nope, never. Lady Scathach used to say if you had the energy to fight, you had the energy to carry your own burdens. She used to say if you relied on supporters too much, you'd become lazy."
"It seems those lessons worked on little delinquent Cian."
"It certainly did," Cian said, as they came towards a clearing. "Was it different for your father in Lord Nuada's familia?"
Mebd felt something stir in her stomach. Cian hadn't really asked her anything about her father, or her home life back in Ulster. She didn't mind telling him of course but… of course talking about it, made her think about it, and she'd been trying to avoid that for a while now.
She didn't deserve to think about it.
"Yeah, I remember being brought around to all the familia's meetings when I was young," She told him, as they stopped around the banks of the swamp. "Lord Nuada has a large familia, and since my father's one of his three captains, he was often in charge of organizing supporters for expeditions."
"I've heard that Lord Nuada's familia is on par with the Loki familia," Cian said, as they started walking around the swamp.
Mebd couldn't help but smile. "If Lady Scathach and Lady Aife were the strongest, Lord Nuada wasn't far behind. My father used to always say they could compete with any familia from Orario."
"I'd like to see that, they say your father is super strong," Cian said.
Mebd smiled… she could see her father clearly if she closed her eyes, her mother as well… and of course there was Ferdiad. They visit her every night when she slept. The few nights she could sleep.
"Yeah… yeah he is," She said, coming to a stop. "And he deserves a better daughter…"
"Huh? What was that Mebd?" Cian said, coming up next to her.
Mebd jumped, her face going red. "Um, nothing! Look! I think this is where they got attacked."
He climbed up onto a large branch near the ground with her. The small clearing was near the road around the swamp, and not far from the swamp itself. On either side of them, the dirty, mucky water gently moved, and the smell reminded Mebd of home like Cian had said. The trees were thick around them, but there was enough open area above them for the sun to shine through.
Before them, was clearly an ambush site. Two large carts were smashed to pieces, along with pools of blood, and discarded weapons. She'd seen enough ambushes to know when one when it was bandits and when it was people. Apparently, Cian did as well.
"All the cargo is still here, so it was definitely a monsters," He said, climbing down off the branch, and holding a hand up to her. "Bandits would have taken everything."
Mebd looked at his hand, her heart thumping. She'd already kicked herself earlier for not working up the courage to ask him to get supplies with her. The truth of the matter was every day she spent with him the more she felt herself falling for him. It was bad, but amazing at the same time. Amazing because she got to spend time with such an amazing guy.
Bad, because she knew deep down she didn't deserve his affection. Why would he be with someone who tried to murder him?
Still, for some reason, she didn't want to give up. If she was trying to live a new life, have a new chance, make a different choice, she was going to do all she could. That was why when they split up entering the bog and swamp, she'd asked to go with him, while Asfi had taken Bell with her around the other side of their intended area.
Besides, that stupid elf got to be alone with him last time! It's my… god dammit Mebd stop thinking like that, she scolded herself as she took his hand.
She'd admit when she first heard he and Lefiya had been down in the dungeon alone she was annoyed, thinking the elf had pulled ahead of her. However, that quickly changed when she realized that they'd been attacked by the Sons of Tuireann.
It made her feel even worse, because she could remember Morrigan talking to Cathbad, a conversation she overheard about possibly hiring the Tuireann familia. It was her fault that he'd almost died again.
"Okay… Bell and Asfi should be here soon," Cian said, turning to the wreckage and walking out ahead of her. "Lets see if we can find it in any of these crates."
"R…right," Mebd said, the reality of the situation setting in.
Cian right away smiled at her, before going to work at one of the carts. He set down the Gae Bulg and started rummaging through the wreckage. Mebd's heart managed to stop beating long enough for her to dig into another of the carts, but with each old sack of apples, container of iron, or other random find, her hands shook more and more. She was beyond grateful to Lord Hermes for finding down the swords location, was extremely grateful to Asfi, and now Bell and Cian for coming to help her.
But… the truth is, I really don't even deserve to use the Anneal Blade, she thought, moving more and more boxes out of her way. Her hands eventually stopped, and she could see her gloves hands still shaking like leaves. Stuff like this happened at times, she'd just started shaking.
Then, all she could see was Ferdiad leaving with the Anneal Blade. She'd wanted to go with him so, so badly that day. She could remember herself begging, begging and pleading for the chance to come. A possibility to join the Scathach familia? She wanted the opportunity as well, their father hadn't minded, Lord Nuada himself recommended Ferdiad go and attempt to join Scathach.
For so long she'd been angry at Scathach… but the truth was, she hadn't killed her brother. Sometimes, bad things happened to good people, and there wasn't anything that you could do. It was only though kindness to others, that the world could truly move forward, that she could move forward, and that was what she was trying to do now.
"Come with me, you're hurt. I'll take you somewhere safe."
Cap…Connla… just what kind of person are you truly? Mebd found herself asking. In the end, despite the horrible things he'd done, Connla was still the reason she was there now, living the life she wanted to live. Despite all that she'd done, she found people who accepted her, and given her that chance.
That was why she couldn't take the sword when she found it.
"Hey! Mebd, I've been meaning to ask," Cian's voice yelled, "after you find it, wanna test it out? The Gae Bulg and the Anneal Blade, I bet it would be fun!"
Mebd hesitated. "C…Cian, I… I-."
"You did ask to train with me right?" He said, sounding excited. "Ha, I bet I could give you a run for your money this time! It won't be easy but I think I'd put-."
"Cian!" She said, shooting to her feet, and turning to see him slowly turn his head towards her.
He looked at her confused. "Yeah, what is it?"
"I… I… I'm not…" She started, feeling her stomach churn. She looked at the ground. "I'm not going to use the sword. I'm going to find it, pay for someone to take it to Ulster, and have it delivered to my father."
Cian was quiet for a moment. Mebd could hear the insects buzzing, the birds chirping, as sweat traveled down her forehead.
"Okay… well, I'm sure Lord Mac Caomhanach could use it," He said slowly, shaking his head. "And I'm sure he'd like to get a letter from you-."
"I'm not sending him a letter… just the sword," She whispered, unable to look up at him. "He probably thinks I died going after Ferdiad… no, I won't shame him any further."
"Shame him…? Mebd," Cian said, walking over to her now. "You… really haven't wrote a letter to him? Anything to tell him you're alive?"
"It's better that way."
"How could you say that?"
"It just is."
"He's your father!" He said, and Mebd felt his hand on her shoulder. "He's probably worried sick, he'd want to know your alive and-."
"I SAID IT'S JUST BETTER THIS WAY CIAN!" She yelled, smacking his hand of her shoulder, and turning her back to him. "If… if it gets back to the Tuatha Danann… if they know, if my father knows what I did? It's… better if he thinks I died going after Ferdiad."
It had been the first thing she thought, when Lord Hermes had given her his falna. He had asked her right after accepting her, if she wanted him to personally deliver a message to her father. It had been tempting, so, so tempting. She was only sixteen… and all she had wanted after waking up in that bed with Asfi and Lord Hermes had been to see her mother and father, just like a little girl again.
But the more she thought about it… the more she knew it was a bad idea.
"What father wants to hear that his daughter joined an evil familia?" She said, standing in Cian's shadow. Her eyes stung, her arms shook, a shot of terror and reality going down her throat. "Especially someone like him, a vice captain of Lord Nuada, head of Clan Mac Caomhanach! He already lost a son, what would he think if he learned his daughter was responsible for a village being slaughtered?! No… no, it'd be better for him and mother if I was dead… instead of being a shamed of-."
She froze, her skin tingled, as he hugged her. He was warm, very warm. Her entire body went stiff, she squealed, her face getting red. The tears stopped halfway down her cheeks, as she looked up to see his head leaning over her shoulder. He'd dropped the Gae Bulg and held her… and Mebd didn't know how to react. She'd wanted this, she'd wanted him to hold her and now… when he finally did she wasn't going to react?!
Oh man, that orange haired brat would lose it right now! She thought, her face getting red, as she looked up at Cian with teary eyes.
He looked down at her, the sun casted a beautiful glow over him and he smiled.
"Mebd… you tried to kill me."
Her jaw dropped. "Um… y…yeah… I did."
He smiled ear to ear. "You were seconds away from slitting my throat. You beat me up so horribly, that I literally felt it for a week afterwards"
"I… well… yes, but-."
"And look at my face!" He said, laughing as he poked his cheek. "I still got a scar from where you cut me!"
Mebd's face went red. "Um… sorry about that, I just-."
"So… if you can do all of that to me," He said, meeting her eyes, "and I can forgive you? I think your parents would too."
Mebd stammered. "I… but what about-."
"I didn't just forgive you… you're one of the most important friends I have Mebd," He said, shaking his head. "If your parents saw what I saw of you now? Well… I think they'd be pretty proud. Mebd… you're strong, I know it'll take a while but, you need to eventually forgive yourself."
Mebd felt his arms leave her… and all she could do was look up at him, her face red, tears halfway down her cheek. His words rang in her head, and all he could think about was one little thing that he'd said.
And I can forgive you? Forgive you.
He'd said it before… but every time she heard it, Mebd wanted to cry.
So, she did.
"Mebd..?" Cian said, his eyes going wide. "I… I'm not saying or trying to force you to write to them! I'm just saying that-."
"I know… thanks Cian," She said, wiping her cheeks. "I think… wait, what is that, did you see it?"
It sparkled, the sun reflecting off it, and the breath caught in her throat. She moved away from Cian and rushed towards the cart. He didn't ask any questions, and just followed her. When she knelt, the hair on her arms stood up, she saw that day again, felt his brother pat her head, mess up her hair, saw him smiling.
"Now don't come following me, your time will come Mebd. And I can't wait to see that."
F…Ferdiad… she thought, pulling off the tarp from the last crate that hadn't been opened. The small gleam could barely be seen except by a trained eye. The sun hit off it, and she realized then why Cian must not have seen it. It was because the blade shimmered in and out of existence, it moved around and was the very wind itself. For a second, she thought she was crazy, and that she was just giving into false hope.
But no, she wasn't. She yanked the tarp off and tossed it behind her, and saw the light gust of wind moving around with small leaves and twigs being caught up in it. The only thing that was there in the smashed crate after she pulled off the tarp, was a hilt, a black leather hilt, with a gold pommel, and short crossguard.
"Mebd did you find it?!" Cian said, coming up behind her. She turned after gingerly taking the hilt in her hands hilt in her hand and saw his eyes widen. He sighed and met her eyes. "Damn, what else was this guy ordering? Who gets just the hilt of a-."
"FIRRREEEEEBOLLLTTTTTT!"
Everything happened in seconds. Fire erupted next to them, and when they both turned around, her instincts kicked in and so did Cian's. They both jumped back as a loud piercing screech cut through the air like a knife, and Mebd felt the flames heat up her face. Turning around, she saw a massive blast of fire smash into a monster, it screeched, flapping massive wings and floating just above the swampy water, she realized that it was dripping wet, and her question of how they didn't hear it was answered.
Cian landed next to her, shooting out his hand. She saw the Gae Bulg shoot into his hands, while she just held the hilt, her eyes transfixed on the beast above them.
And her blood ran cold, her feet planted on the ground like they were tied with bags of sand. She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe, all she could do was sweat and shake.
"FIREEEEBOLT! FIREEEBOLT!" A voice screamed. "CIAN! MISS MEBD!"
"BELL!" Cian yelled, looking to the right. "Where's Asfi-."
"ARGHHHH MOVE!" Asfi yelled, and they both turned to see her meeting the monster in mid-air combat.
Mebd saw her boots alive, wings sprung out as she tossed a group of bombs towards the monster.
She still couldn't move.
"FIREEEEEBOLT!" She heard Bell scream, as another blast of fire shot past Asfi, hitting the monster.
She still couldn't move.
Loud, gut-wrenching screech came from the dragon next. It swung its wing, and smacked Asfi. Asfi tossed up a smoke bomb, but still yelled as she got smacked backwards, before another firebolt hit its wing. The hair on the back of Mebd's neck stood up, the creature screeched again, as Asfi's bomb was melting part of its wing, and Bell's flames had finally gotten to it.
And then it dove.
"It's an Oilipheist!" She heard Cian yelled. "Mebd! Get out of the way!"
She knew exactly what kind of monster it was; she knew all too well.
"MEBD! MEBD WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Cian yelled after her.
"MISS MEBD NO!" Bell screamed.
"MEBD COME ON MOVE!" Asfi yelled.
"MEEEEEEEEEEBD!" Cian screamed again.
And just like that day, the dragon launched itself at her as it dove.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"F…Ferdiad! NO!" She screamed, rocking her brothers marred body.
Her brother's stomach had been clawed open. He lay in a pool of his own blood in front of her, the swamp, and woods around them silent for now. All she could see was his corpse and remember the feeling of him simply patting his head. And after that, the roar came. She didn't look up, but could hear the hellhound behind her.
She didn't turn around until heat ran down the back of her neck. Upon turning, it came for her, a blast of fire larger then she was. She was going to die with her brother. She closed her eyes, waiting for the flames to take her, this had been her fault after all.
But… it didn't come.
She was grabbed around the waist and moved. Someone had picked her up like she weighed nothing, and then was gently placed back on the ground.
"Are you alright?" The deep voice asked. "That was stupid, being out in the open like that."
And then she looked up. She saw a pair of intense… yet also soft green eyes looking down at her. His hair fell gently over his ears, as in his hands he had a long spear. She realized that the hellhound was in ash, a knife sticking out the pile of it. Her eyes traveled back up to the man standing over her.
He sighed, holding down his hand. "Can you walk?"
Mebd stammered. "My… my brother he-."
"He's gone… I'm sorry, there's nothing you can do for him," He said, kneeling and keeping his hand extended to her. "I have a friend nearby; he'll carry your brothers body. For now, you need to get to-."
A loud screech pierced the air. Mebd yelled out, scrambling back, but the man turned, tossing his spear into the air and catching it as he stood, spinning it around his body and snapping it under his arm. Mebd's eyes went past him, to the black, oily dragon as it roared. Mebd recognized it from lessons with her father on species of monsters one should avoid at early levels. Its claws dripped blood, its teeth dripped blood, and it eyed down at her brothers corpse.
Yet, its wing was bleeding, it struggled to stay in the air.
The man scoffed. "An Oilipheist, looks like your brother managed to weaken it…. Stay here, I won't let it get to you."
He tossed his spear up into a throwing position, and in the blink of an eye it left his hand. Mebd watched the weapon shoot through the air and smash directly into the joint between the dragon monsters wing and its body. It screeched and came crashing to the ground, and the man looked back to make sure she was still there, before pulling out a knife and rushing towards where it landed near the swamp.
He had saved her life… when she was too weak and couldn't move.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Again I… I… I can't… she thought, as all she could do was stumble backwards, the hilt in her hands. An Oilipheist was at least a level 4 monster, known to be particularly deadly because it swam through swamp water, and attacked travelers so quick, they were dead before they could draw weapons.
And now, just like back then… she couldn't move.
"MEEEEEEEBD!"
Like that time again, she was grabbed around the waist and moved.
The dragon screeched as it smashed into the ground near the cart, its wings covered in soot and ash from Asfi's bombs. She was moved, arms wrapped around her, and that was when he jumped and rolled past the cart.
"BELL!"
"FIREEEEEEEBOLT!"
The dragon smashed its wing towards the firebolt spell and knocked it away, before she heard Asfi scream and dive down again. The Oilipheist wasn't a very large dragon, but it moved so quick, that Asfi had trouble dodging the rapid fire of poison barbs, and swinging of its tail. Swampy poison spewed from its mouth that Asfi kept at bay with more bombs and clever flying. She watched as Bell came rushing in with both of his knives, he leapt and spun thrusting his hand forward.
"FIREEEEEBOLLT!" He screamed, as the spell smashed into the Oilipheist head.
It stopped it from spewing poison at Asfi, and that was when Bell moved into close ranged. He ducked under the dragons wing and slashed his Hestia Knife upwards along the leather appendage. The Oilipheist roared in pain, blood falling to the ground before it smashed Bell toward the water with its tail. Cian's familia member hit some of the carts, Asfi yelling his name as she moved in with a knife after she'd poured a vial over it. In combination with her shoes, she flew up, to the left right, and avoided the dragons' wings and barbs, slashing the steaming knife across its skin. It roared, but eventually hit her, sending her tumbling in the sky, simply unable to move as fast as it did.
Mebd still couldn't move. Her jaw had dropped open, she was clutched onto her saviors' clothes, the hilt clutched in her other hand.
"Bell, Asfi!" Cian yelled, gently leaning her onto the ground. "It's okay Mebd, you wait here I'm going to-."
"NO!" She screeched, grabbing harder onto his shirt and turning to meet his eyes. "Please… please don't I… I can't… not you too, I can't-."
He grabbed her by the arms and met her eyes. Just like that day, she had been saved again. She knew Cian would hate hearing it… but she couldn't help but look at how similar they looked.
Cian smiled and didn't get mad like she expected. "You don't have to do anything… okay? It's okay to be afraid. Stay here, I won't let it get to you."
"You… won't…" She stammered, gently letting go of him.
"It's trying to take off!" Asfi yelled. "If it gets into the air we don't stand a chance!"
"CIAN!" Bell screamed. "FIREEEEBOLT!"
Cian smiled, spun around, and thrusted out his hand. And again… just like that day, he caught the spear in his hand, spun it under his arm, before tossing it into the air. Just as Bell's firebolt hit the dragon, Cian threw his spear. It zipped through the air, hitting the monster in the joint between its wing and body.
Just like Connla that day, after that Cian pulled his sword from his belt and rushed forward.
Mebd's arm shook, and she looked down at the hilt in her hands. Like it was now, nobody would see a sword, just a useless hilt. Even she didn't see anything if she didn't focus hard enough. Ferdiad had always said, you needed a keen eye, and Mac Caomhanach luck to wield the Anneal Blade.
Mac Caomhanach luck huh…? That's non-existent, she thought, holding the hilt up into the air, for how long she knew the blade was and thrusted it towards the ground.
Like she expected, the invisible tip hit the ground, and she pushed herself to her feet. All it would take was a little bit of her magic, and the blade would be wind, pure wind, like the Mac Caomhanach's controlled for hundreds of years.
"But… I can't," She whispered, looking at the blade of wispy wind, the invisible blade that had made her family to strong for centuries. "No… no I can't-."
"CIAN!" Bell screamed turning Cian as they both ran forward. "The wings!"
"Right!" Cian yelled, the Gae Bulg in one hand, his sword in the other.
"Bell, Cian! Take out the wings, and I'll finish it off!" Asfi yelled, flying over them with her shoes.
Mebd's chest sank, as she watched Cian and Bell both move in and out of each other to avoid the barbs that the Oilipheist spat towards them. It roared, but Bell and Cian by moving in synch and being careful not to run into each other avoided them. Mebd knew that they could practically read each other's minds normally, and it seemed to be paying off then.
Cian and Bell both yelled, and at the last second when the dragon went to swing one of its wings, they both slid to their knees. The muddy slick ground made it easy, as they both yelled and swung weapons up along the dragons wings, ripping down them both, and rushing out the other side. The Oilipheist roared, getting onto its hind legs and flapping its now almost useless wings furiously, and that was when she saw Asfi dive.
"YOU'RE DONE!" Her new Captain yelled.
But then, Mebd's chest exploded.
"WAIT NO IT'S A DEATH ROLL DON'T-."
"ARGHHHHHHHH!" Asfi yelled, as the minute she got in close, the Oilipheist rapidly flapped its wings, getting itself just a few inches off the ground and spun.
Its wings flailed out, and Asfi was smacked, getting sent sprawling to the ground, smashing into the remains of a merchant cart. Mebd remembered that when and Oilipheist got backed into a corner, it did a death roll, it spun its body, flailing its wings and tail with rapid speeds. It moved quicker then almost any monster around its level, which was why more then just a few adventurers were required to take it down, unless you had someone with enough agility to keep up with it.
"ASFI!" "MISS ASFI!" Cian and Bell yelled, as the Oilipheist spun back around, firing barbs towards them both.
She watched them both jumped out of the way, before tripping on their way back up in the mud. The Oilipheist saw it, and the dragon roared as it turned, seeing Asfi groaning as she got up from the pile that was the destroyed cart. She held her head, still on the ground, when the dragon moving faster then Mebd had ever seen a monster sprung forward and spun its tail around.
Asfi's eyes widened, and she tried to activate her shoes but it was too late, the dragon had her in its sights and moved in for the kill.
No… no, no…. NO NOT HER!
The first person to welcome her to her new familia. Her new captain. The person who did more then anyone, even Cian to make her feel welcome. The person who'd been looking out for her the entire time she'd been in Orario, who'd vouched for her to others, who made sure Lord Hermes recognized her as soon as he could, who had volunteered to go on this quest with her without hesitation.
The closest thing she had to a big sister.
And Mebd could finally move.
You're strong Mebd.
It was time she listened to Cian.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Cian
"MISS ASFI!" Bell yelled, rushing forward with him.
But Cian saw her first. "Bell wait!"
Cian with his free hand grabbed Bell's collar and yanked him back. Bell yelled and turned to him. "Cian what are you talking about what-."
A loud ripping sound, followed by the dragon's loud screech cut them off.
The two of them turned, and when they did Bell's jaw dropped. "Miss… Mebd! What… what is that?! How's a sword hilt doing that?!"
"The legends are true…" Cian whispered, his blood pumping, his head pounding, but he couldn't help but smile. "Bell that isn't just a sword hilt! That's it! The Anneal Blade! The invisible magic sword of Clan Mac Caomhanach."
Bell stammered, looking over in amazement. "In…visible sword?"
"Yes! The sword is wind itself, it's coming from Mebd's magic!" Cian said, as he gawked at Mebd, who held the Anneal Blade up over Asfi.
He'd heard plenty of stories about the Anneal Blade since his village had been in the Mac Caomhanach territory, but it was something else seeing it in person. He and Bell both stumbled, and the Oilipheist roared and flailed, as its tail was cut by the Anneal Blade. Blood shot onto the swampy ground, and it reared back. Asfi's eyes went wide, as Mebd held the sword with one hand, and swiped her other in front of her, the wind around she conjured throwing up debris and cargo from the carts.
"GAOTH!" Mebd yelled, and now Cian could see the sword even better. It was such an amazing weapon, as you couldn't really tell how long the blade was since you only saw the hilt.
"Miss Mebd!" Bell yelled, just as the Oilipheist roared and leapt forward again on its nimble hind legs.
Cian didn't know why he did it, but he shot his hand out. "No… let her go."
Bell looked like he was about to argue, but soon saw why.
"ASTAR NA GAOTHIE!" Mebd screamed, her wind magic picking up as she zipped forward towards the dragon beast.
Cian had been on the receiving end of Mebd's wind spells herself, and the dragon was fairing even worse then he had. The massive storm of wind shot towards the dragon, before Mebd with the Anneal Blade trailing behind her shot forward and cut upwards. The dragon roared and leapt back, but was still cut up the chest, before it tried to swing its tail around. It was so fast Cian could barely see it, but Mebd thanks to her shield of wind around her, was able to jump just barely over it, before her wind took her into the air. Living up to her Windrunner name, she floated up above the dragon, before landing behind it. She tried to sheer off its wing, but it turned back around.
He almost moved himself now, ignoring his own order, because he saw poison come from the dragons mouth. It launched it at Mebd, along with the barbs it had been firing earlier, but Mebd knocked them away. The Anneal Blade already couldn't be seen, but with the power of her wind, Mebd was nearly invisible herself, as she knocked the barbs away, and her wind dispersed the poison. She readied herself to charge again, but the Oilipheist was ready.
"GAHHH!" Mebd yelled, as it dashed forward, and swung its broken wing at her, smashed into the Anneal Blade, but sending her skidding back.
"MEBD!" Asfi yelled, powering up her shoes, the wings springing to life.
Cian almost bit through his lip, finally nodding to Bell he scooped up the Gae Bulg, and went to throw as the dragon advanced towards Mebd.
Only, he was stopped, when a massive gust of wind stopped him from moving. He had to dig the Gae Bulg into the ground to stop himself from flying back. Bell actually did stumble, and if Cian hadn't grabbed him, he would've been knocked into the swamp. Asfi's shoes had deactivated, as she clung to a cart, and all their eyes turned back towards Mebd, who had the Oilipheist trapped her winds were so powerful.
And besides that, she was glowing with beautiful white magic light, the invisible Anneal Blade held in front of her face.
"I call on you, power of Anneal, hero of the great druids, of the name Mac Caomhanach," She chanted, as a magic circle whirled the wind around her, her red hair shooting out straight behind her.
"M…Miss… Mebd?!" Bell yelled over the wind.
Cian shook his head, unable to believe he was seeing it. "That… that's the power of the Anneal Blade! Of Anneal, a hero of the Druids who joined with the gods in Ulster!"
Mebd's light grew, her winds grew more violent, and he saw the tips of her hair begin to glow.
"I am of the name Mac Caomhanach, grant me your swords power, so I may vanquish the evil rot that infests the lands you fought so hard to protect," Mebd chanted, narrowing her eyes, and readying the sword in front of her. "Grant me control of the great westerly winds, wipe the enemies of this land away in your great gale of destruction and awesome power! I beseech you, great heroes of Mac Caomhanach's past, grant this meager body of mine your power… AND STRIKE!"
It was as beautiful as the legends made it out to be. Slowly, the light traveled up to the sword, the Anneal Blade was revealed, beautiful near white steel, the sword became visible, but the light didn't stop there. Mebd's bubble of wind grew, as the Oilipheist thrashed, looking up and trying to shoot more barbs towards Mebd, but her wind knocked them away, and she leapt.
Her hair the brightest shade of white, as she spun and looked down towards the monsters. Her shining sword was behind her, and with a massive gust she shot towards the ground.
"COME FORTH NOW! DESTROY THE ENEMIES OF THIS LAND WITH I AS YOUR VESSEL! MAC CAOMHANAAAAAAACH!"
The blast of wind shot outwards. The Gae Bulg finally dislodged from the ground and Cian smashed into Bell. The two of them fell into the mud and rolled backwards. Asfi did the same, and when they finally hit the treeline. Cian felt his back crack, and when he looked up, he looked on wide eyed, as a cloud of poison and blood shot up into the air.
His voice came out shaky. "M…Mebd?"
Bell and Asfi came up behind him, as the winds died down. Bell groaned, and Cian helped him stand, Asfi came up behind him and when they turned again footsteps sloshed through the mud.
"Well… that wasn't all that tough," Mebd said, emerging from behind the debris of the cart, the hilt of the Anneal Blade in one hand.
And in the other hand, she tossed the head of the Oilipheist between them.
The three of them looked up at her. Her wind was gone, her hair was red again of course, just messy from all the wind. For a second, Cian saw her with narrowed eyes, a hard face, her lips in a straight line.
But the minute he looked at her? Her face got red, and her serious act was dropped.
"Mebd… that was amazing!" Cian yelled, his heart nearly beating out of his chest.
Bell looked just as starry eyed. "Miss Mebd you're so powerful! I can't believe that sword, you took it down in one hit!"
Asfi chuckled behind him. "Ha… I always knew you had it in you… Mebd."
"W… well it really wasn't anything much!" Mebd tried to say, her face red as she twisted her foot in the ground. "I… I just did what my brother did and-. HUH?!"
Cian had hugged her, he had been so, so worried. He didn't know what he said, he was so excited he couldn't keep track. Bell did the same, the two of them having both smiling like goofs.
And Cian… Cian was happy.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Mebd
"I still can't believe it Ms. Mebd!" Bell said excitedly, looking like a small child who'd just been told a fairy tale. "Your hair changed color, your sword appeared, it was like something out of s story book!"
Mebd's chest tightened, her face getting red as she looked over at Cian chatting with Asfi as she carefully weaved the necklace she was making. Her eyes drifted back to Bell, and she realized that the two of them really hadn't had many conversations alone. Still, she was grateful for the kind words, and that Cian had such a close friend he could rely on. She liked to think she and Cian were close, but even she knew that Bell was Cian's true best-friend.
"Ha… it really wasn't much," Mebd said, looking at the fire illuminating their camp.
They'd decided to take a short break. They were only another hour or so outside Orario, but Asfi had decided she'd make Cian and Bell's necklace now so they could give it to Lady Hestia when they got back. That was because the idiots had forgotten to leave her a note saying where they going, and had been hoping that Lady Hestia thought to go ask Ryuu where they were since she'd been the only one they told. The necklace was to smooth things over for when Lady Hestia inevitably tried to hit them both.
Their tiny campsite was illuminated by the fire. The entire time, Mebd had been holding onto the hilt of the Anneal Blade, careful to not let it cut any of her friends. She'd seen the blade enough, seen it used to know about how long it was… but while she'd always dreamed of it, nothing had prepared her for using its power. It only lasted for a short amount of time, but she practically became the wind when her hair turned white.
I… I did it… I actually did it, Ferdiad… father, she thought, as Bell shook his head.
"That wasn't nothing, that really was amazing!" He said, smiling at her. "I'm really glad that we got to meet you Ms. Mebd."
Mebd couldn't help but blush. "Oh well… um, thanks Bell. The same for you, I-."
"Bell!" Cian yelled, as he walked over a huge smile on his face. "Go check it out, Asfi's just about finished!"
Bell's smile grew. "Really?! That's great! Ha, thanks again for saving us today Ms. Mebd!"
"No problem Bell…" She said, before the guy excitedly ran towards Asfi.
And then, Mebd blushed, turning so Cian couldn't see it.
"Ahhhhh what a day!" Cian said, joining her on the log she sat on. His head turned, and she knew he was smiling at her. "I can't believe I got to see the Anneal Blade! You were amazing Mebd!"
Her heart nearly stopped, how could it not? That smile he had, the way he looked at her, it was everything she had been wishing for. Was this what it would have really been like? She had been level 2 when she joined Lady Morrigan at level 2, she had gotten their from being a part of Lord Nuada's familia with her father, that was how Ferdiad had leveled up before going to try and join Scathach. She had just had Lord Nuada's falna taken away before Ferdiad had died, since the god had wanted Mebd to decide for her own which familia to join now that she had leveled up.
She always wondered what it would have been like, joining a familia, meeting a boy perhaps, adventuring, saving people, killing monsters. Life was never so straight forward she knew… but her life had been a constant zig zag. She remembered the days of trying to impress Connla, to prove herself worthy of being in a familia, belonging somewhere. She had wanted it so badly, because she knew she'd never be able to go back to her family then.
But seeing Cian smile at her? Well, it made her feel like she really could go on and do anything. This must have been what it was like… to have someone who believed in you, someone you could depend on.
Not to mention… these feelings I have, they're real, very real, she thought, smiling back at him, before a thought churned her stomach. But… he very well may choose someone else.
"Ha… thanks, like I told Bell, it really wasn't that much-."
"Not much?! Oh come on, you don't gotta be modest!" He said, leaning forward excitedly. "When your hair turned white you looked like a hero from the old legends! The Anneal Blade, you actually did it Mebd, and I'm so glad that I was there to see it."
"I couldn't have done it without you… you reminded me that… one day I'll have to forgive myself," She said, looking at the hilt of the Anneal Blade. "I… I know it'll be a long time, but in the meantime? I'm allowed to show strength… to be strong. So, thank you."
He smiled, and when he reached out a hand and it touched her arm she jumped. Her face got hot, and she looked at his hand as it gently wrapped around her forearm and he squeezed. His face, illuminated by the fire and stars, his bright blue eyes… everything about him was gorgeous.
"You don't have to thank me for that Mebd. You've been there for me since the minute you came down to floor 18 for me," He said, his close eyed smile wide. "You're somebody that I know I can always count on, never doubt that. There's so much more to come, we both know and well… no matter what happens, I'm happy you'll be there!"
You're somebody I know I can always count on… no matter what he decides, what comes of these feelings, I'm going to be someone you can count on, that's all I really want.
But that didn't mean she was going to give up easily, not to Ryuu, not to Mikoto, and certainly not to that bratty elf.
"C…Cian?" She said, gently holding her free hand over his that still held her arm. She met his eyes, and returned his close eyed smile with one of her own. "Can you… um… close your eyes?"
He looked at her confused. "Huh? Close my eyes? Why?"
Her face heated up. "I… I have to tell you something!"
"And… you need me to close my eyes for that?" He asked, more confused now. "Why would you-."
"Just do it okay!" She urged him, turning so he couldn't see her blushing. "It'll make me way too nervous if you're looking at me."
"O…kay," He said, and as she instructed he closed his eyes. "Like this?"
"Yeah…" She said, and just for good measure held her hand up in front of his face.
Cian… you gave me this second chance. It's because of you that I was forgiven, that I can one day forgive myself. It's because of you I have a familia now… a big sister, and I was able to find my strength.
"Uh… Mebd? Why are you covering my eyes too?" He asked her, as she leaned forward. "Isn't it kind of pointless if I already…. M…Mebd?"
His cheek had been warm thanks to the fire. Her lips were wet, and when they touched his cheek he'd gone stiff, before his face flushed red and when she slowly pulled her lips and hand back, she saw him blink rapidly, his mouth opening and closing, floundering like a fish. The tingle from her lips traveled to the rest of her body, but when he finally was able to look at her… she didn't feel embarrassed, all she could do was smile.
It wasn't on the lips but… could that still be considered her first kiss?
"M…Mebd I… I…" he started, his eyes wide, face still red, but Mebd shook her head and met his gaze again, the fire illuminating their faces.
"Cian… I'm going to keep being someone you can rely on," She said, tilting her head as her smile grew more. "But first… thank you Cian, that you for everything!"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Cian
"So, she said she's going to hold onto the sword after all?" Bell asked, as they walked down the churches steps.
Cian smiled and nodded. "Aha, she said she's going to use it for now, and… when she's ready to see her father again, she'll deliver it to him herself."
They had gotten back to Orario a bit later then Cian and Bell had both hoped, but the trip had been well worth it. Cian felt his cheek tingling for most of the walk… especially after Mebd had done that, he knew more then ever he needed to sort out his feelings for everyone soon. It wouldn't be fair to Mebd, Lefiya… or himself or others to drag this out for too long. Not to mention he wanted to know himself, he wanted to figure out himself. It had been two months since he crawled into Orario half dead, and so much had happened.
But in the back of his mind, he knew that it was just the beginning.
"I'm glad that we could help Ms. Mebd, it was a productive trip," Bell said, smiling as he held up the necklace Asfi had made for them. "It's beautiful! I know Goddess Hestia will love it!"
The necklace was made of a silver chord, and at the bottom, in the middle of the silver pendant, was a pure black scale. The Oilipheist had dropped it after Mebd had killed the dragon, and it had been easy enough for Asfi to craft the necklace with it. Cian of course would have gone to help Mebd for free, but the necklace of course was the reason he and Bell had gone out.
"Oh man I know she is!" Cian said excitedly, holding the small cake in his hands as well. "We'll need to thank Asfi again later! Are we sure she's home?"
"She should be by now," Bell said, as they opened the door. "Goddess! Sorry Cian and I are late, but we're home!"
"We're back Lady Hestia!" Cian said, right away placing the cake down on the tiny coffee table in front of the couch. "Bell's right, sorry that we… Lady Hestia?"
"Um… Goddess?" Bell said next to him, holding the bag with the necklace.
Bell and Lady Hestia's room wasn't very large, so naturally, Cian saw Lady Hestia right when he walked in. Normally, it involved his tiny goddess tossing herself at Bell, before hugging Cian as well, and after that they'd tell her all about how their day had gone. It was one of Cian's favorite parts of the day. Lady Hestia wasn't like Lady Scathach, Lady Scathach would show her affection through indirect means most times, while Lady Hestia was very direct.
This time however, she wasn't.
"Bell… Cian…" Their goddess said, slowly turning around from where she stood in front of the bed, her normally jolly eyes dark. Bell yelped, and Cian tried to hide behind him. Lady Hestia's eyes exploded with fire. "You…. DUMMMIIEEEESSSSSSSS!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"DO YOU BOTH HAVE ANY IDEA HOW STUPID THAT WAS?!"
"WE'RE SORRY WE'RE SORRY WE'RE SORRY!" He and Bell both yelled, bowing over, and over, and over, and over again.
A new lump was already forming on the top of Cian's head, as right away he remembered something very important.
Earlier, they had forgotten to leave Lady Hestia a letter, and they had only told Ryuu they were going outside Orario with no elaboration.
Maybe this is why Lady Scathach and Lady Hestia got along… they're both terrifying.
"I expect more out of you BELL!" Lady Hestia yelled, hitting the top of his head.
"I'M SORRY GODDESS!" Bell cowered, bowing and rubbing his head.
"And YOU CIAN!"
This is it, this is where I die.
"AH!" He yelled, bowing and not wanting to look her in the eye.
Her shadow stepped in front of him. "Are you not aware that the LAST TIME I learned you had just gone outside Orario with no explanation I found you HALF DEAD?!"
"I'M SORRY GODDESS PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"
"WE'RE SORRY LADY HESTIA!"
"YOU BOTH BETTER BE!" She yelled again, huffing, and turning her backs to them. "Do either of you truly understand how worried I was about you both?! No note, no sign of where you went, you were just gone when I got home! Then when I finally get the idea to ask Ryuu and Mia if they saw you, all they knew was you went outside Orario!"
Not only was Cian ashamed of himself, but he was absolutely terrified, as a massive headache rang through his brain. He looked up and saw Lady Hestia with angry fists, before she sighed and turned back to the two of them, still looking upset, but her face was a bit softer now.
"Seriously, I couldn't go after you myself and everyone else was occupied!" She said, before sighing and walking over to them both. She reached down and helped them up. "I'm sorry for getting so worked up, you just need to both promise me you won't leave me alone! I don't have anything without the two of you."
Cian's chest felt warm, as while he did still have a deserved headache, he and Bell both smiled and nodded.
"Yes, we promise Goddess, I'm sorry," Bell said, bowing.
Cian did the same. "Yeah, same… I'm sorry Lady Hestia."
She sighed but clapped her hands together. "Okay… I forgive you, now, where were the two of you anyway? And what's the deal with this cake?"
Cian's mood shifted, and he knelt down in front of the table, while Bell and Lady Hestia both sat on the couch. Cian smiled, looking to Bell and nodding, as his friend reached into his pocket.
"Well… it's been two months since I got here Lady Hestia," Cian said, gesturing towards the cake, and then to Bell. "So… me and Bell used the day we had off to get you something as thanks."
"Huh?!" Lady Hestia said, suddenly red in the face. "You… you both mean it?"
"Of course, goddess! Cian had the idea of getting something made for you," He said, handing the small bag with her gift to their goddess. "That's why we had to go outside Orario."
"Yeah, you see Asfi and Mebd were going on a quest outside the city," Cian explained, as their goddess opened her present. "Asfi's a great item maker, so we agreed to help her! That's an Oilipheist scale inside the necklace, it's from the monster we fought today."
Lady Hestia's eyes went wide, as she pulled the silver cord out of the bag. "You… you both left and put yourself in danger… just to get me a present?"
"Of course, we did! It was worth it to, it was an awesome adventure," Bell said, as Cian joined them on the couch sitting on the other side of Lady Hestia. "We hope you like it Goddess!"
"Yeah, it's to say thank you, Lady Hestia," Cian said, smiling at her. "For taking me in, and everything you've done for me."
"And thanks, from me for letting Cian join," Bell said smiling as well. "I couldn't imagine the familia without him anymore, so thanks for everything, Goddess!"
Lady Hestia was quiet for a moment, looking at the black scale trapped inside the pendant. For a second, Cian thought she didn't like it, or worse she was going to hit them again for going to do something so dangerous for a necklace.
"Um… Goddess?" Bell asked hesitantly.
"Lady…Hestia?" Cian said carefully as well. "If… if you're still angry we're sorry! I.. I just-."
"You… you…. YOU TWOOOOOOO!" She cried, tears streaming from her eyes as she jumped, her arms around her neck and yanked them closer to her. "I CAN'T BELIVE YOU'D DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR MEEEEEE!"
"G…goddess! Of course we would!" Bell croaked, as she squeezed them.
"H…he's right Lady Hestia! Without you I wouldn't have anything!" Cian choked.
But his goddess kept crying, hugging onto them both. Eventually, he saw Bell smile, Cian smiled back… and he decided to let her keep at it.
They deserved this moment together, and Bell was right.
I almost can't imagine not being in this familia… Bell… Lady Hestia… we're going to keep growing together!
Because Cian knew as well… that all of their fights so far, had been just the beginning, all of this was far from over.
Next Time, Season 1 Episode 1: Banquet of The Gods: Cian's been in Orario for two months now, and it's been an absolute whirlwind of not only blood, sweat, tears, but fun as well! He's met new friends, and grown stronger then he ever could have possibly imagined. He fulfilled his goddess's wish of knowing the name of his spear and finding the goddess in Orario, however, Cian has more problems now, including figuring out who he's falling in love with! After that however, when a bar fight with the Apollo familia goes south, Cian, Bell and Lady Hestia are invited to a Banquet of the Gods, where their enemies are making further moves to bring them down.
A/N: And with THAT the Tales of Orario between S1 and S2 are finished! Next chapter we're going to be starting season 2 and the War Game arc so get excited! Haha I know I am, but these Tales From Orario were seriously fun to write and I hope you all enjoyed them! Like I said, they're all cannon, so we'll see Naaza's special potions, Mebd's Anneal Blade, and more mention of things that happen in them in the future, so I hope you enjoyed them!
Now, one thing I know some people may say in this chapter is 'why bother with all the shipping stuff when you said its gonna be Mikoto/Cian' and to that I say WE know it's going to be Mikoto and Cian, but CIAN doesn't know that in the story. I feel it would be a lot more interesting to see Cian try and straighten out his feelings for these girls who have feelings for him, as opposed to it just being him and Mikoto straight away with no conflict. Trust me, he and Mikoto WILL get together in Season 2, but I wanted to add some drama to it to help them both grow.
That being said, we're going to keep seeing Mebd and Lefiya come back to help Cian. More so Mebd, for the reason being, I haven't read all of Sword Oratoria, so I don't know what Lefiya and Loki Familia are doing past S1 of that anime, but she'll show up when she can for sure.
We're going to have more Tales From Orario between the War Game Arc, and Pleasure Quarter/Ishtar Familia Arc, I think two or three, but the next five or so chapters are going to be the war game! And some more about the Ulster plot with Connla and Morrigan, does anyone remember? Morrigan isn't sitting idly by this arc for sure!
Okay, so next chapter the War Game Arc begins at the banquet of the gods! Quite a few people are gonna wanna talk to Cian, but I'm also excited because this will be a big place for he and Mikoto! After that we'll get to the action and I hope ya'll are ready!
OH and THANK YOU! For 100 followers on Cian's story! Haha 100 followers on this story is insane, it's the first one of my anime stories to reach that milestone. If you combine both Arcs for Akira it's over 100, but this is the first solo one to hit over 100, and it seriously means a lot I hope you're all enjoying!
Please leave a review and let me know what your favorite part has been so far and what you're looking forward too the most! I hope you're all enjoying DanMachi s4 as well, and it's getting you an itch to read this story haha, thank you all so much and see you next time!