A/N: Hello whoever is reading this, yes I am writing again cause I have spare time. No I am probably not going to update any other fic as I am only interested in this one currently. That may change depending on what life decides to throw at me. So hope you enjoy this chapter as I might be a little off.

Chapter five: Duel in Lanox

The main transport system used in Elrios would be airships, coming in different sizes and variations. The most commonly used one for travelling are long sleek design like a steam train…but flying through the sky on a non-existent railway. This is the airtrain. Rena sat, leg's crossed in the empty old fashioned cabin, watching the scenery go by like a blur. She was just coming back from Bethma, on her way to Hamel to hand in her report to the prince. The blonde woman casually drummed her fingers again the window pane, going over what she had just uncovered.

Just then, a portal opened and a tall dark robed figure walked out, throwing his pair of blue dice between his hands, before closing the portal. Casually he sat down on the seat behind him, directly opposite to Rena.

"Nice to see you again after such a long time Glave," the woman muttered, letting her hand fall to her lap.

"Yes it has been," Glave replied. "Perhaps to long. You know why I'm here so let's save the formalities for later. Aisha is already headed down the correct path, and within time she will learn of the reviving nasods."

Rena nodded.

"Why are you telling me this?" Rena urged the white haired man.

"A group of magicians are siding with the nasods, trying to awaken them," Glave said. "I already sent Aisha in the right direction. She's bound to meet them."

The blonde woman started to clench her fist, trembling slightly. Standing from her spot, both her hands glowing with white light, the blonde magician loomed over Glave. "If you have anyway endangered her life-"

"Woah woah!" Glave exclaimed, waving his arms about, in an attempt to calm Rena.

"I value my life thankyou. Please, I promise you, Aisha would be fine. She's strong for crying out loud, I mean almost no elemental master has fully mastered the four elements at their basic levels at her age. Most elemental master only one element to that certain degree-"

"Which is why I am worried for Aisha," Rena interrupted. "Not only is her mana not fully developed, but she was brought up in a peaceful society. She didn't grow up fighting everyday, wondering which second you would die. She catches petty criminals, not war veterans and fully developed magicians. She has only learnt how to spare a life, never to take one…I just hope she will never have to."

'Lanox station.'

The doors to the airtrain slide open, as passengers swarmed out of the doors and onto the Lanox station platform. Aisha walked amongst the crowd, careful to not draw attention to herself. Walking down the concrete staircase, she entered the main street, where the night markets were taking place. Lifting up her left hand, a small portal appeared, her silver pocket watch slipping through the portal and into her hand. Clicking it open, she checked the time.

'7:00...damn I'm already late for dinner…'

She continued to walk down the street, stopping outside a certain shop. It was quite simple, on the outside that is. Inside were many antiques being displayed, from weapons to vases. Walking up to the glass door, she pushed it open, ringing a small bell overhead.

"Sorry," a voice called out from the storeroom at the back. "We're closing, so if you want to make a purchase or sell something, do it quickly or leave."

"What happens if I'm here for a visit?" Aisha called back, walking down the aisle leading to the cashier. From the back you could here a couple of boxes falling, and a loud squeal of delight, followed by another cursing and swearing about something to do with 'fatty' and 'jelly'.

A shadow loomed around the corner, nearly ten feet in height. Aisha slowly dropped her hand to her baton, expecting the worse. Loud steady thudding could be heard…until the shadow dispersed as the blob like demon bounced from around the corner. The small creature, leapt at Aisha, who in response smiled and playfully fell to the floor with it.

"Angkor," Aisha said between her laughing fit, as the blob bounced up and down on her. "Stop that, it tickles."

"ANGKOR!"

With that shout, Aisha looked towards the source, just as a purple haired girl skidded to a halt around the corner, looking dishevelled. She looked similar to Aisha, with her black clothing. However she was wearing a pair of glasses, a floppy witch like hat and with her hair tied into twin braids. This was Aisha's older sister, Specka Glenstid. Second eldest child of the family, she had ran away from home and started a merchant business, selling all kinds of antiques, earning a hefty price for them.

"Angkor, come here," Specka said gently, the blob demon leaping from Aisha and onto the older Glenstid's head. "That's a good boy."

Rising to her feet, Aisha dusted off her outfit, before the older Glenstid threw herself into an embrace onto the unsuspecting elemental master.

"How have you been?!" she squealed, tightening her hug, causing Aisha's face to go purple.

"S-Sis," Aisha forced out, tapping her sister's shoulder. "Y-Your…choking m-me."

Eyes widening, Specka took a step back, her mouth opened, her eyes leeting loose an onslaught of tears, while her speech became rapid and hard to understand.

"I'm really really sorry I didn't mean to do that because I haven't seen you in such a long time and I always liked to hug you ever since we were younger and now that you are here we can catch up!" Specka exlciamed, before taking in a huge intake of air.

Aisha giggled, placing her hand on her older sister's shoulders.

"Sometimes I wonder which one of us is the older one," she joked. "Sure we can catch up for a bit, I have time. Though afterwards I have to talk to you about some rumours in the trade."

"Nasodian weapons?"

"H-How did you-"

"It's a rather big discussion, though no one knows who the buyer is," the older Glenstid stated, clicking her fingers, just as a black coffee table was summoned. It had black chairs on both sides and a small kettle with two teacups on its surface. All playfulness from Specka's expression was now non existent.

"Tea?" Specka asked, the kettle and teacups floating into the air.

"Sure."

The kettle had begun pouring its tea into both cups, before situating itself back onto the coffee table, where it disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Simultaneously the two girls lifted their cups to their lips, slowly drinking the tea in the same manner. If one were to look at it from side on, it would seem as if a mirror were between the two. Placing the cup down on the platter, Aisha cleared her throat.

"So, you were talking about the buyer?" she asked her older sister.

Specka slowly moved the cup from her mouth, taking a moment to accept the warmth that the drink made. Letting out a small breath she racked her head, trying to remember what she was talking about.

"Ah yes, there's only been a name mentioned, but no one that owns it," Specka said, her eyes narrowing in thought. "He is simply someone that does not exist."

"You said he," Aisha piped up.

Specka stopped, and raised her eyebrow.

"Banthus," Specka said. "No last name, no description, just the name of the buyer. Even Glave could not find him, and that is a remarkable feat by itself. Banthus simply, does not want to be found by anyone, especially by people like you."

Aisha took a moment to let the information sink in, nodding. Standing up, the chair behind her dispersed in a puff of smoke.

"Thanks Specka, I appreciate your support," she said.

"You're going to continue this investigation?" Specka asked. "This wasn't set to you by the prince nor Rena was it?"

"How did you know?"

"I made some measures to keep this information from the empire," Specka stated, not noticing the rage building up on Aisha's face.

"You did what?!" she yelled. Then it clicked. "You were the one that bribed Glave aren't you?!"

Specka stood up and glared downwards at her sister. The tension was thick, so much so a knife could slice it.

"You are the only sister I care about Aisha," Specka said. "Banthus is smart enough to hide from Glave, what other abilities and men do you think he has at his disposal? You are running into their territory, by yourself, with no plan nor information about them. You will only kill yourself, and I will not see another family member of mine make that same mistake!"

Aisha opened her mouth, before closing it shut. She couldn't say anything, so she just stood there, completely speechless and unable to respond. Specka's expression immediately softened, as she pulled Aisha into a gentle hug.

"I'm sorry for bringing that up-"

"It's fine," Aisha interrupted. "You're right. It is fool hardy…but it is my duty to the empire."

This time, it was Specka's turn to be speechless, before she gave a slow nod of understanding.

"I best get going, and try to investigate a bit more before going back to home," Aisha stated, releasing herself from the hug. "And don't worry about me either. I'll be just fine. Goodnight Specka."

"Goodnight Aisha."

Taking her leave, Aisha walked out into the empty night street, the chilly wind biting at her skin. Now for the rest of the night, she should find some suspicious activity, and see if they know anything about Banthus. Glave had mentioned that the 'investor' resides in Lanox…but then again Banthus hid from Glave before, so he can do it again. It could be a fake alias, or even a group of people that are behind this scheme. Aisha was about to take a step forward, until a figure emerged from the shadows of the alleyway across the street. He was a tall boy, almost Elsword's height, with black hair. He wore a black shirt with green stripes, with metal guarded shoulder pads. On his back was a plain looking sword. Casually he walked onto the middle of the road, before coming to an abrupt stop a couple of meters in front of Aisha.

"How much do you know?" Lento asked.

Aisha was taken aback. Was this man Banthus? If so why come to her face to face…why not just kill her form behind?

"Know about what?" she asked.

The boy stared pierced into Aisha's, causing her hand to subconsciously grip her shortened baton at her waist.

"If you have learnt anything new, I advise you to not tread down this trail," the boy continued. "You will be killed."

Aisha smirked, slowly withdrawing her baton slightly, making sure not to make any noticeable movements.

"And if I say no?"

"Then I have to stop you from doing so."

Suddenly Aisha lashed out with her baton, growing in size until it finished just as it was about to strike the boy. There was a clang of metal against a solid object, as Lento had caught the staff with his bare left hand.

'…What?' Aisha thought.

The dark clothed girl lashed out with a right kick aimed at the boy's ribs. Lento blocked Aisha's next strike with ease, before spinning and lashing out with his own fist. Aisha grunted, her staff just barely blocking the fist, as her feet skidded backwards slightly from the strike.

'Strength magic? No, it can't be…this is different.'

Swinging her staff in an arc, Aisha sent a gust of wind towards the boy, who dashed to the side, the attack missing him completely. As if on cue, the fight became a game of cat and mouse. After dodging the first strike, Aisha followed his movements, dashing forward towards the boy, swinging her staff again, and hoping that he couldn't dodge the closer magical attack. To her dismay, he did, before dropping to the ground, and kicking Aisha off her feet. Aisha fell onto her back, but soon recovered as she scrambled to her feet quickly, readying her staff.

'So my ranged magic is useless huh? Just like a nasod…damn, to rely on this twice in one night, I seriously need to pick up my training.'

Closing her eyes, Aisha hovered into the air slightly, as she allowed her wind magic to be absorbed into her body. As she opened her eyes, her irises were now aqua, as was the aura surrounding her body. With a look of triumph on her face, she dashed forward, faster than the eye can follow and swung her staff at the boy.

As if it were all a dream, Lento's hand was even faster, catching the staff, the metal weapon snapping from the impacted. Time seemed to slow down, as Aisha saw her opponent's hand, covered in a pale light blue aura. The aura, unlike the smooth flowing one that Aisha had, this one was jagged and sharp.

"L-Lightning?" Aisha muttered out loud.

Suddenly, Lento shot forward, dealing three strikes into Aisha's stomach in a spilt second, before the aura around his hand died. The girl collapsed onto the cold road, gasping for breath.

'Damn it, what is Specka doing? I could really use some help.'

"Pathetic," Lento spat out. "Becoming one with an element. You are physically weak, and you result to fighting with spell that enhances the body."

Aisha groaned, slowly rising to her feet.

"What do you know?" she asked weakly, the toll of her spell was already affecting her body. Yet why wasn't it affecting this…boy? The boy had definitely used the lightning element, one of the rarer elements. His body wasn't hurt. No. It should have been. Yet why?

Aisha stared at her broken staff lying on the ground. It was useless now. Raising both her hands, she compressed the air, forming spherical shapes in her hand.

'If he's physically stronger, than I have to use ranged magic.'

After charging, she threw them with all her might, however without a staff, channelling her magic was severely weakened, and as such, Lento dispersed the air attack with a wave of his hand. Raising his right hand, a sudden gust of wind threw Aisha off her feet, as she landed heavily onto the ground. A trickle of blood hung at her mouth as she desperately tried to stand up.

"I have fought everyday since I was a child, and not just petty magicians like yourself," he stated. "But real powerful ones. I was born from the best and trained by the best. Take this from me, that right now, you aren't even worth considering as an opponent."

He took a step towards the fallen girl, but a sudden hand stopped him.

Lento turned around to see his sister, grabbing the back of his shirt.

"Don't Lento," she said sadly. "She's had enough."

Lento's expression softened, before he sighed.

"Okay," he said softly, than he turned around to face Aisha, who was glaring at him from the ground. "Right now I am assuming you're not going to take my warning about Banthus. As you are now, you don't stand any hope of finding him, much less beating him."

A sudden thought clicked inside Aisha's head.

"Y-You know him don't you?" she asked.

"I have unfinished business with him."

"Then tell me what he stands to gain from awakening the nasods!"

"He isn't the one responsible for that."

Aisha's eyes widened.

"What do you mean?! Tell me!"

Groaning, she slowly forced her self to her feet, though her stance was shaking.

"Tell me what you know?!" she shouted again.

Lento and Lucy didn't say anything. The small amulet in Lucy's hand had been glowing red, and was now slowly diminishing. As it did, a barrier surrounding them was now revealed, before collapsing.

'A sound barrier?'

The amulet in Lucy's hand crumbled into stone, just as she took a new one form her pocket, this time it glowed blue.

"Please forgive us-" Lucy tried to say, but whatever was addressed afterwards was cut off as the two siblings disappeared in a flash of light.

Losing her footing, Aisha crumpled onto the snow, sighing a breath of relief.

"Man I'm going to be sore tomorrow," the purplette complained.

Raising her hand, a small purple circle appeared in her hand, before a small silver bird was summoned. A basic messaging spirit spell was taught as a magicians first spell, and as such this was the most basic of communication systems in Elrios.

"442, Harmony Road Mountain Region," Aisha stated weakly. "Message. 'Rena send someone to take me home please. I am at the spells origin point'. Message end."

Finishing her message, the bird took flight into the air. Aisha stared weakly after the bird. What Lento (as the other girl had called him) had said was stuck in Aisha's mind, unable to disappear.

"How do I become stronger?"

A/N: did I leave it at a good part? did I make to many mistakes. Please tell me as I might have become worse from studying for my exams TT_TT...anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter, and hopefully I can get the next chapter within the next week.