A/N: Heya everyone, back finally with the next chapter. It's been quite a long time, and, well, sorry about that. But finally, here it is. Chapter 6 should hopefully be around soon, within the month. And for those of you still reading the story, feel free to ask any questions about characters or anything, and I'll try to get around to 'em in the next chapters notes. Enjoy.
Power flows through my body as my sword slashes through a plant-like creature's body, splitting it open in one go. My foot pivots as I turn to make another slashing motion. Green guk pours out of the two plants as I sheath my sword.
"I knew I'd do better with a sword."
"Feels more natural, huh?" Vassenoir comments, patting my shoulders lightly.
"It does! I love it! I feel so strong!"
"Don't get too excited. We got a quest to do. To find this special plant, right?"
"Yeah, the Fatalis!" Seras chimes in, cheery as ever. "Iris is really, really skilled at picking flowers and plants! That's how she gets so many berries..."
"Wait, Iris..." The orange-haired woman turns her attention to my sister. Her stare is scary...
"Have you only been training your resource skills and not your combat skills?"
Iris pulls down her new fluffy hat, covering her face with it. Not answering of course. I don't know what I'm gonna do with her...
"No wonder your magic blows..."
"My magic is stronger than yours."
"It's stronger than all of ours, Iris. That doesn't mean it's good."
"Good enough."
"Then you better prove that today."
She nods at the heavily armored woman. It really does feel like she is the leader in a way. But honestly, it's alright. This time, my chest doesn't feel heavy. I'm happy everyone is getting along.
We continue in formation. Vassenoir and I in the front lines - Seras and Iris in the back.
Our new equipment makes the fights easier, much easier. None of us receives a single scratch the majority of the fights. Seras and Iris are still behind us in strength by quite a bit though.
I feel like I can take on anything right now.
My blade slices through yet another grasseater, and with a movement, the insect's remains fly off my weapon.
"You guys want to go to the next floor? It'll be better experience to fight some stronger enemies. And the flower might be there too."
I speak my mind, confidence showing on my smiling face.
"A-Are you sure that's a good idea...?"
"I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise, Seras."
"I see...I guess we can try it..."
I sheath my blade, treading forward, a big goofy smile on my face. I can't explain why, I'm just so happy. Not a worry in the world.
"There it is. Let's go Falahein!"
"Y-Yeah!" Seras nervously follows my words.
"Yaaay." Iris adds with her monotone way of speaking.
"You kids are making this a much bigger deal then it actually is. It's kind of cute though."
Our tank laughs as she lightly pushes Seras forward, to go down the stairs.
Iris stays directly behind me as we enter the new area.
"Hey, is it me, or does it look the same?"
"It does. But that's just the environment. This whole labyrinth will always look like a forest. I've heard about others, with vastly different environments. But mostly all of it was rumors."
"Hmm, well, we'll just have to be the ones to find the truth about them, now won't we?"
"Really liking your confidence today, leader. Got a solid plan too. I'm impressed."
My face reddens a little as I rub the back of my head. "Nah! It's no big deal! Really!" I take a closer look at the room we are in, seeing our... Not so wide variety of choices in paths.
My feet move on their own, as I start toward the door, everyone else following behind in formation.
Iris held the map in front of her, the once blank map. Just like the last floor, she began filling it out as we moved through.
"Isn't this floor a little quiet?" Seras asks as we approach a door.
"Yeah. It's kinda disappointing." I push past the giant stone door, opening it with ease. "Wood chips?"
"Don't go close to them." Vassenoir warns, pulling my hand. "If we go in front of them, you're just asking to be attacked by another cutter."
"They're on this floor too?" I can feel Seras clinging to my other arm, pulling me from that path. "H-Hey, I wasn't going to keep going once I knew that a Cutter was th-IRIS! STOP!"
As if she ignored our entire conversation, Iris walked right over the wood chips, and looked down the path next to it. She merely lifted a finger over her mouth, looking at us. Signaling us to come on, she quietly keeps going.
"She is so... So much trouble... I guess it's sleeping. Come on, let's go quickly!" Pulling Seras, I quickly cross the path, followed by Vassenoir. All four of us move forward, reaching a little area, away from everything.
"Irisaer! What on earth were you thinking?! Do you understand how worried I was? How easily you could've been killed?! This isn't a damn game Iris, we can't do stupid stuff like that! You do not go off on your own like that! You hear me?"
Iris, looking up at me, nods slowly. She then turns around and gazes at the flowers beneath her. She picks one up gently, showing it to me, then stretches to put it in my hair.
"I forgive you already Iris. I do. Just, I don't want to lose you, ok? I need you to be careful."
She hugs me, nodding once more before going back to the flowers.
Can't stay mad at her - I just can't.
"I want one too! Give me one Iris!"
Is it even possible for us to kill a Cutter yet? We may not get lucky this time. But wait, it's not about just killing one. We need to be in good shape. Ready for anything. The enemy is going to take us by surprise, so we can't waste our strength...
"What's on your mind, leader?"
"I was just thinking about if we could defeat a Cutter. If we needed too."
"Yeah, I think so. If you did your links right, and he kept his focus on me."
"That's good to hear. Of course today we'll try to avoid major fights." I turn toward Iris and Seras who are giggling, flowers in their hair.
"Are we ready to leave?" Iris speaks, taking her stuff from the floor.
"Yeah. We are. Just remember, stick with us, ok?"
"Yes sis."
Quietly, we leave the small patch of flowers, and head on down the path. We go through yet another door, seeing multiple displays of wood chips in front of paths, just like the other room. More cutters, great.
Iris begins to move, before stopping herself. "They are sleeping at this hour. We should take full advantage."
"H-How do you know that Iris?!" Seras asked, shocked.
"I've been here before…when I collected berries. They were always asleep at this time."
"You've been here before? And didn't tell us? Didn't tell me even?" I take a deep breath, calming myself down. "Alright. You're here, and you're safe, so you must have been careful. So it's ok."
When we get back I am so yelling at her for all of this...
I start moving, going forward past the pile of chips. I turn and see the bear curled up, asleep. It doesn't take long before I start moving again.
"Wait. This one's awake. Let's take the long way around." My sister interrupts me.
"How can you tell?"
"I can sense it."
"Alright. We'll take the long way around."
We head down the suggested pathway, and it remains quiet.
"This is really worrying me guys..."
"What is Seras?" I find myself stopping, and looking at her. She does seem pale. "Are you alright?"
"I'm scared. We haven't had to fight a single thing this whole floor so far. That's just not normal. Something's up."
"It is weird. But a lot of the enemies have wanted to avoid being in the Cutters' paths", Vassenoir points out. "Like we aren't around them now and..."
Seras screams loudly and runs behind me, as we all stare down a giant baboon. It beats it's chest and roars at us, while a giant roller goes behind him.
"Seras, you jinxed us, you know." Our tank says, jumping slightly in front of me. She held her shield and sword, ready to attack or defend.
This is a fight we have to do, and quick. Seras once again screams, notifying us of the group of enemies approaching us from behind.
"Iris. Let's get these guys quick. Seras, keep Vass in good condition! Don't get too close!"
"G-Got it!" Seras lets go of me and stands behind Vassenoir. The four of us stand back-to-back for a moment, before both the fortress and I charge toward our respective enemies.
I swing my sword in a swift motion to one of the small rollers, but it's shelled up and only rocks back slightly.
All three rollers glimmer, the giant one included, as their shells become harder.
Suddenly a ball of fire collides with one of them, the flames also hitting a Mandrake next to it.
"Oops. I meant to hit the plant head on..." Iris apologizes.
"It's fine! Just get ready to hit as many as possible!"
Roller, Mandrake, Roller in the front. Giant Roller and a forest frog in the back.
"Go Iris!" I shout, dashing forward once again toward the undamaged roller, slashing horizontally, energy flowing through me. Before any of the enemies could even react, I took a step back.
The Mandrake in the front line flailed it's arms, attacking. I blocked it and evaded the slow strike from one roller. As my foot lands on the ground from my jump back, the second roller curled into a ball and rams into my foot, tripping me.
Lying on the floor, the roller prepares to attack me again, as I kick it with all my might, launching it back to its group. Just then, the sound of something activating burst through my ears. Bolts of lightning struck down atop the front line of enemies, all three of them vanishing as the magic faded.
I turn to Iris, giving her a thumbs up. I look back at the remaining enemies. Wait. Enemy? Where did the frog g-
"Sis!"
"Huh?!" I quickly roll to the side, barely evading the frog's drop. It extends its tongue at me, as my sword flows to meet it.
I quickly get up, looking at the wiggling tongue on the ground.
That is so disgusting...
The frog closes its mouth, and as it opened it, the tongue regenerated.
"How in the world...?"
"Watch out!"
Iris speaks up again as I press my sword sideways against the giant, spinning roller.
I keep being pushed back, it's way too strong!
"Come on and beat that thing already!" Armored hands push over mine, bring a crushing pain to my hands. However the roller stopped pushing me, us, due to our fortresses' great physical strength.
The giant creature stops dead in its tracks as Vassenoir steps back and turns around, resuming her own skirmish. "Hurry up and kill them! Seras, heal! Now!"
My blade is coated in a thin layer of ice, just before it collides again with the giant roller. This time, it's on my terms!
The roller shrieks in pain signifying it's weakness. The ice slid off my sword, forming a small crescent on the roller's shell.
"Hit it with anything, qui-"
Before I could even finish my sentence, a massive ball of fire erupted on the giant roller, knocking it on its back, heavily injured.
The small crescent curved out into a bigger frozen blade, slicing into the beast, slaying it once and for all.
"You're left, you gross freak!" I shout, panting lightly as I point my blade toward the disgusting frog... Thing.
I once more charge forward, my blade charging with a layer of electricity. My attack however is evaded as the frog jumps into the air, vanishing.
"Damn frog!" I ready myself to dodge his strike, Iris preparing to attack as he falls down by me.
Wait a second... That shadow is under Iris!
"IRIS! RUN!" I burst into a sprint, trying to reach her as quickly as possible. She doesn't move, only looking up in shock. Move Iris! Move! Please!"
A loud crashing noise is all I hear, followed by a shout of pain.
"I-Iris..."
I can't move. I can't believe it. There isn't a way she could have survived a critical jump like that.
I only fall to my knees, tears running down my face, the dust still puffing.
"LEADER! Get your shit together and kill that damn frog! I can't keep taking everyone's damage forever!"
What? Vassenoir?
The dust settles, and all I see is that disgusting creature, attacking Iris. There isn't an injury on her. None of the attacks are affecting her. I wipe my eyes and continue where I left off. I run until I reach the amphibian, kicking it with all my momentum and anger. The frog's back slams into the wall, and I stab my sword into its stomach. And again. And again. Before I know it, I am beating the corpse. Every time I blink, more and more of its body is severed, beaten, destroyed. I can't stop myself.
"Iris, leave her for now! Help us with these two!"
Those words get blocked out by my grunts and the splattering of blood. I can't even see. My arms just don't stop.
Minutes pass and I'm still in this state, until my arms can't move anymore.
Finally, my vision clears, at least, enough to see through all the blood on my face.
I take a step back, as I pant, my chest heaving.
"Hey, killer."
I turn around, looking at Vassenoir. She places a hand on my shoulder, leading me forward a bit. I close my eyes, and as I open them, I see the others in front of me.
"Quasfay... Are you... Are you ok...?" Seras asks, standing up and approaching me.
Both she and Iris hug me at the same time, even Vassenoir joins the hug. I nod slightly, unable to speak under my panting.
They make me sit down, and relax.
"What happened?"
"I... I don't know... I was just scared, and angry... I couldn't control myself... I couldn't stop myself..."
"You looked like a legendary beast, haha, filled with bloodlust."
"Vassenoir, what are you talking about?" Seras interrupts.
"You ever hear of the Bushi? They are these rumored beast-like warriors that enter a state of bloodlust when they fight. They are brutal, and do, kinda what she just did."
"They sound scary..." She adds, looking at me.
I feel my breathing finally normalizing as my body calms down.
"I didn't hurt anyone, did I?"
"No." Iris answers. "And I'm ok, before you have to ask."
"Good..." I take a deep breath and smile. "But, how did you not get hurt Iris?"
"I directly took any damage she would have taken, Seras' as well. However, it doesn't protect them from being knocked down or anything like that. I'd need to physically block it for that."
"That's... That's amazing that you can do that!" I find myself shouting, surprised and impressed.
"It's helpful, but, it's a quick way to have me go down. So I can't just use it whenever."
"Even with me healing, if you take too much at once, I won't be able to do anything." Seras looked down, speaking.
"Hey, cheer up. We just need to not let it get that bad. We can do that. We are Falahein! Nothing is ever going to bring us down!"
"Well...-"
"Vassy, shh. Nothing is ever going to KEEP us down!"
"Y-Yeah!" Seras cheers up, agreeing with me.
"You kids are so optimistic, haha. But you're right. Falahein isn't going down. Not on my watch."
Iris raises her fist in the air slowly.
All of us nod and do the same thing.
"FOR FALAHEIN!" We shout in unison, then laugh.
"Now, let's get moving! We have a quest to complete!"
"You should probably wash your face first." Vassenoir says, pointing toward a lake next to us.
My face contorts into one of disgust and shock as I rush to the lake and shove my head into the water.
Grossgrossgrossgrossgross! I had that thing's blood on me this whole time!
Frantically I wash my face, doing my best to clean everything off as the others laugh at me.
So... Disgusting... I hate those damn frogs...
We continue on the second floor, exploring and mapping out everything. The short break allowed everyone to get back to full health.
Mom's lessons on how to rest up well in a labyrinth really did come in handy. I need to apologize to her for calling them dumb years ago.
"Is that it?!" Seras shouts pointing to a beautiful flower in a dead end.
"I think so." Iris responds, looking at the hive above it.
"Those bees probably aren't going to want to share all those flowers... Maybe if we take one...?"
"Those don't look like normal bees... They are huge..." I stop for a moment, thinking. "Vassenoir? Can you get the flower? If they turn hostile and we have to fight, they'll all turn on you. It's the ideal position for a fight."
"Yup yup. You got it. Better be ready though."
I take out my sword, standing a bit behind our fortress.
She takes a quiet step forward, and another. Before I know it, she's in front of the flower, reaching down gently to grab it.
The wind splits. An object whirls through the air way above us as Vassenoir jumps back.
"Move!" She shouts running in our direction. She goes behind Iris, lifting her shield up, blocking a speeding arrow. "Stand behind me, let's go!"
Holding her massive shield in front of her, she moves forward, like some sort of riot cop.
All of us move close to her, looking back at the beehive cracked on the floor, next to the flower.
"Is that them? Did Quasfay's plan work?"
"Damn right it did Seras. I swear I'm gonna punch this sniper in her pretty little face when I get to her."
Arrows hit against the shield in different patterns as we move huddled up.
"Iris, get that lightning ready. Vassenoir, try to get the spot she's at. We'll attack once, then keep defending till we get a better position. The others are probably waiting for us to go that way."
"I'm ready."
"Across the lake. On the clearing to our left. She's in that section."
Vassenoir lifts her shield, as Iris uses a rune in the directed area. Bolts of lightning scatter across the targeted area for about three seconds.
The arrows stopped firing, as we continued to move on, sprinting ahead as a group.
We make it to safety, entering a large room. The door we used was the only one in the room, the only way out.
The room felt hostile. It felt off.
I turn to Vassenoir, and she smirks.
Here we go.
We take a few more steps into the room, staying in formation perfectly.
"Wow, you idiots fell for it twice? Oh well, more for us."
"H-Huh? You?!" I shout, glaring toward the man clad in ninja garments.
He snapped his fingers, and the ring appeared underneath us like before. Seras places her hand on my shoulder, as if trying to hold onto me, before she goes perfectly still.
I lose control of my body, as paralysis runs through me.
All four of us stand still, watching as the ninja approaches us.
He's walking toward me. Ha, perfect.
He stands outside of the ring for a bit, until another pulse of paralysis goes through us.
"If I let you live this time too, will you come back to give us more stuff?" He laughs, entering the circle as he goes to take my bag from me.
Just then, I feel warmth washing over me as I break free off the paralysis.
And in that same moment, I grab the man's arm, twisting it around his back, and forcing him to the ground underneath my knee.
He let out a shout of pain as I held him down, the ring glowed one last time, losing power as it faded.
Once Seras frees me again, I'm knocking this guy out.
And just like that, I feel control go back to me.
I drop my sword, and swing my fist at the helpless man.
I punch hard, repetitively, hitting his face.
He's definitely knocked out now. I stand up, looking toward the others, who had surrounded the other man.
Vassenoir lifted him up and punched him, before dropping him on the floor.
"That was a lot easier than I thought." Vassenoir spoke up, brushing off her gauntlets. "All that's left is that annoying sni- GET DOWN!"
Iris and Seras both crouched down underneath Vassenoir, who held her shield above her.
A massive volley of arrows rained down, being blocked by the massive shield, followed by another assault.
"Quasfay! Go outside and take her out! We will be stuck here otherwise!"
"Got it!" I run, barging through the giant doors, and stare at the girl aiming both of her bows in an arch over the door.
"No running this time!" I shout as I tackle the girl. She looks at me in shock as I wind up my strongest punch. I bring my fist down, hitting her as hard as I can.
She lets out a small grunt before going silent.
We did it... We did it! I can't believe we managed to get them!
We are so awesome!
I stand, proudly clenching my fist.
"I got her! You're safe!"
"Alright! Bring her in here, then we'll take a thread back!"
"Ok! Coming! Time to turn you in sni-"
No. Nonono. Noooooo. Goddamnit!
Where did that girl go?! Freaking! Stupid me! Stupid stupid stupid me!
How did I not know better?! Ugh... I can't believe this!
I look around everywhere but the girl is nowhere to be found.
"Yo, leader, you're taking way too long. ...where is she?"
I look straightforward at Vassenoir who was carrying both unconscious men on her shoulder.
"I um... She kinda..."
"Got away."
"Y-Yeah..." I muster, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Nice. Well let's get going before you lose the other two as well. Haha." She teases, patting my back.
I guess she isn't really mad... That's a relief.
"Hehe, it's ok, I don't think she'll be doing anything on her own. And even if she does, we'll have to get her for real!"
"Yeah, you're right Seras. No use moping about it!"
"We don't need the flower?" Iris asks sadly.
"W-Well... It's probably not the best idea to get it now. Tomorrow, we can get it, sound good Iris?"
A bit disappointed, she nods and I pat her head.
"Falahein's first completed mission, huh? Not bad, not bad."
"H-Huh? You are right! This is our first completed mission! Woohoo! Everyone! Falahein on three! One! Two! Three!"
All of us raise our fists and shout, "FALAHEIN!"
"Hm. So these are the guys who have been terrorizing guilds in the labyrinths, huh?"
"Yes. The third member of their group escaped, but I don't think she will continue to cause trouble on her own."
"I would hope not. It seems though that you have at least disbanded the criminal group and did apprehend them. So yes, this will be counted as a mission completed."
"Yes! Awesome! You heard that everyone?!"
All of us have smiles on our faces, even the Count.
"I'm very impressed with you all. Congratulations, and you have my thanks Falahein."
"Anytime! If you ever need anything, we'll be here to do it!" Seras excitedly responds for me, for us.
"Then I'll be counting on you a lot from now on then. I can't wait to see the legend be born! Haha! But most importantly, here is your reward. They may be sold in the store, however, they have a very limited quantity, always. And, Quasfay, was it?"
"Y-Yes! That's me!"
"Here you go."
I extend both of my hands. My left hand grabs hold of the bag of items the Count was referring too. My right gently accepts the necklace that I had given him before.
"Thank you... For everything."
"You made Tharsis a safer place, even if by a little. And that alone deserves my gratitude."
"I'll do my best to keep making it safer too."
"I'm glad to hear that. Aren't you Margherita?" The man pets his dog, who barks happily in response.
"Just don't let me down Falahein."
"We wouldn't dream of it!" The four of us say, giving a thumbs up and take our leave.
"Quassy..."
I feel a hand tugging on my skirt, as I turn and look at Iris. "What's wrong Iris?"
Seras and Vassenoir also stop to look at us, as I continue to stare at Iris.
"That was mother's necklace... And you gave it away."
"I needed to, Iris. The only way the plan would work would be if I gave up something of immense value. I had nothing on me but the clothes I wore, and that necklace. That's something I could be ok with losing, because the most valuable thing to me is you. If I lost that necklace, you'd still be with me. That's what matters most."
She remains quiet for a bit and she hugs me tightly.
"You two are so cute!" Seras says as she runs over and joins the hug.
"H-Hey! Seras!"
"I couldn't help myself!" She giggled, still hugging us both.
"Heh, you kids are definitely something. But you may wanna rest up. The next few days is going to be nothing but training."
"W-What?! B-But we just went through all of this!" Seras protests.
"You and Iris are behind." I speak up, joining Vassenoir's side. "What we did today was not safe, if more enemies had attacked us on the second floor, we might not have made it because of that same reason. We need to play it safe, and growing stronger is our goal anyway."
"I... I guess you're right..."
"We'll have a relaxation day after all this training. How does that sound?"
"That would be really nice..."
"Then that's the plan for the week. For now, let's pay Dalla a visit."
"I'll catch up with you guys later. Going to get a drink."
So much for me sleeping... I'm gonna have to drag her drunk butt home... Again...