Zeroes of Two Worlds
Chapter 17
Yesterday's invasion caused alot of commotion for the Tristain Academy of Magic. He had no doubt that questions would be raised about the security of his institution, and the security of the students. Especially with how brazen Fouquet had been by using a golem to break through the wall of the Vault.
But the question still remained of how he managed to break through the wards. He hoped that the preliminary investigations would to shed some light about that.
The academy's administration have gathered in the headmaster's office to discuss their findings and what course of action they must take in order to rectify the situation. But the discussion quickly became heated as accusations of negligence or incompetence, or both, had been thrown around.
"What were the guards doing?"
"They're only commoners. They're useless against a mage especially against someone like Fouquet."
"The wards must have been improperly checked. It's the only reason why the thief was able to disable them."
"I assure you. I most certainly did not." Another strongly refuted. "Those wards had been in place for centuries, and it hadn't been recorded to have degraded in anyway."
"But that doesn't answer why it failed entirely yesterday."
"Not entirely." The teacher then had a look of confusion. "That's what was perplexing. The matrices directly around the breach were unraveled. Torn apart even. But the rest of the wards remained unaffected. I was able to identify a spell residue but it didn't match any of the elements."
"Wait. Do you mean that Fouquet was using spirit magic?" Another teacher cried out, looking aghast and shocked.
"N-no! ... I don't believe so. It didn't look like spirit magic."
The people of Tristain, and the rest of Halkeginia, had little to no experience in regards to spirit magic, even with the elemental spirits that resided across the land. But they would recognize one when it's being used by other races that resided across the kingdoms. Even among the mage population, few would have understanding about spirit magic which had caused issues in the past.
"I've examined Lady Cherveuse's findings about this spell residue." Osmond interjected before fear and panic set in. The rest of the staff turned towards him as he spoke. "The energy residue is peculiar but I'm certain that it's nothing like spirit magic that I've encountered in the past." He then tapped a finger on Mrs. Cherveuse's report on his desk. "This... is entirely different. Not even spirit magic is this potent. I don't believe Fouquet is related to this, but a product of another."
"So Fouquet is working with another mage?" A staff asked worryingly.
"As far as we know, Fouquet worked solo and he has not worked with anyone else before." Another added
"That. we know of." Someone emphasized to the others.
"Regardless if Fouquet has an accomplice or not, it's not our concern in the mean time. We have to figure out how our defenses were breached and how to retrieve the artifact that was stolen from the Vault." Osmond told them before turning to Colbert. "How goes your investigation back at the Hearth?"
Colbert sighed deeply before speaking. "I haven't discovered why the surge condensers failed to function despite responses from the matrices. The recording showed that the output of the brazier remained within its normal operating parameters."
"What does this possibly mean?" Osmond inquired, curious and concerned about his findings.
"It could be sabotage." Someone suggested.
"That's not possible. Only members of this faculty has access to the Hearth, and we haven't had an artificer visit us this month." Colbert countered.
"Hmmm... This warrant further investigation." Osmond remarked, and he turned to the captain of the guard. "I want you to check the keys and their corresponding touchstones were accounted for. Check the records for them if you must."
"Yes, headmaster." The captain nodded his head to him.
"Do we have other witnesses aside from the guards who responded to the threat?" He asked to the gathered members of the academy staff.
"Yes, we have. Three students and one retainer." Colbert answered.
"Please bring them here, Mr. Colbert."
Colbert nodded and made his leave as he exited the headmaster's office.
The rest continued with their meeting and discussed other matters such as updates on the repairs, and conditions of the guards who were stationed at the south. It took several minutes before Colbert returned and opened the door into the office.
"Have you found those who witnessed the theft, Mr. Colbert?" Osmond asked.
"Yes. It was these four." Colbert ushered in four young individuals whom the faculty quickly recognized. Mostly due to their notoriety across the academy.
The three students were Miss Valliere, Miss Zerbst and Miss Tabitha, and there's Mister Arc whom they recognized as a retainer to Miss Valliere. Mister Arc was initially viewed as a lowly servant to Miss Valliere, at least until his duel with the young Gramont where he showed his prowess. He is then viewed as a personal retainer to Miss Valliere, and is treated as such.
"Oh... It's you three." Osmond said as he looked at them. He gestured to them and said. "Please tell us about what you've witnessed yesterday when the thief attacked."
The three gave their own testimonies. Jaune and Louise spoke about responding to the threat, seeing the giant golem, the hooded mage on the shoulder, and their fight with it. Kirche and Tabitha spoke about what seeing the fight itself from different places, with Tabitha being in the air atop her dragon familiar.
"What do you keep referring to Fouquet as a she?" Osmond asked Miss Valliere and her familiar.
"That's because she had a woman's voice when she told us that we're too late to stop her." It was Mister Arc who answered, and Louise confirmed it as well.
"I see..." Osmond filed that little detail for later. "Did anyone got a look of what Fouquet had stolen from the Vault?" He asked them, for confirmation.
"Long wooden case. Light red oak. Bound with black leather straps" Tabitha recited softly but with a clear tone.
That pretty much confirmed it since it's the only artifact that was cased as such. The relics in the Vault have identifiable markers on their casings if they have one. It also matched the color of the table it was on, and blended into it as though part of the furniture. It also helped that it's the only artifact that was stolen from the Vault.
"Did anyone tried to chase after Fouquet yesterday after she got out of the academy?" Mister Arc inquired.
"Scouts that patrolled the surrounding area tried to give chase. But the tracks led to a massive pile of earth, and there were no traces from since then." He informed the young warrior-familiar, a peculiar combination considering the runes he possessed.
"That's troubling." Miss Zerbst remarked. "Are there plans to search for the thief's whereabouts?"
"It will depend if our scouts will be able to find any leads about Fouquet's whereabouts. And that will take time." Osmond sighed as he stroke a hand over his long beard.
There was a knock on the door that caught everyone's attention. The door opened and Miss Longueville entered the office, carrying a binder in her arm. She then had a look of confusion when she saw how crowded the office was.
"Ooh.. Miss Longueville, you finally returned. Where have you been?" He asked her. "We couldn't find you since this morning."
"The headmaster's right." Colbert interjected. "I've been looking for you since the incursion happened, and I couldn't find you." He sounded worried as he said that. "You made me- I mean, us... worried." He coughed into his fist.
"My apologies, headmaster." She bowed her head to him, and then calmly spoke to him. "I was doing my own investigation..."
"Investigations?" Osmond inquired.
"Yes, sir." She nodded. "I took initiative as soon as I heard that the Vault is being raided. I followed the thief as the golem left the academy without being spotted. I lost them along the way, so I've spent the time going to different villages and did my investigations there."
"That's very efficient of you, Miss Longueville." Colbert remarked with an appreciative nod. He then asked urgently. "Did you find anything?"
Longueville nodded. "Yes, I have gotten hold of the whereabouts of Fouquet."
"What?! you did!" Colbert exclaimed with amazement. Osmond was surprised by it as well as he didn't expect Miss Longueville to be able to track the elusive thief. "Where did you manage to get this information, Miss Longueville?"
"According to the commoners around the area, they saw what seemed to be a person wearing a black hooded cloak entering an abandoned house in the nearby forest. I believed that person is most likely Fouquet, and that abandoned house being the hideout."
"A black hooded cloak? That's unmistakable, that must be Fouquet"! Miss Valliere exclaimed upon hearing Miss Longueville.
Osmond silently agreed, and asked Miss Longueville. "How far is the house from here?"
"About a day's away by foot. But it only takes four hours by horse. Shorter if we go by carriage."
The carriage that Miss Longueville is referring to were the self-propelled carriages that had been spreading across continent for over a century. Such vehicles improved trade and travel for most of the population, and helped improve the living standards across the board.
They didn't operate one of their own since there was no need for it, and they could just contract one from the capital if they found need for it. So they'd have to go with a horse drawn carriage in the mean time.
"We must report this to the Royal Court right away, and seek reinforcements from the Royal Army!" Colbert stated with great urgency, and the other members of the staff agreed.
Osmond shook his head, and glared at his staff members with sternness and power that didn't fit with his image as an old sage.
"You fool! By the time the report reached the Royal Court and made their response, Fouquet would have gotten away with the artifact!" The old man huffed loudly. "Besides, if we can't handle matters such as this on our own, then we aren't fit to be called nobles! Since the artifact was stolen from this academy, then it's the academy's responsibility to retrieve it!"
Miss Longueville smiled at his words, and the rest of the staff nodded reluctantly.
"As such, we must organize a search team to find Fouquet and apprehend her." Osmond started asking for volunteers from the gathered mages. He did note that Miss Longueville looked surprised about something but he couldn't understand what caused it.
All of the gathered noble mages around him awkwardly looked at each other, silently urging one another, but not one raised a wand.
That was incredibly disappointing.
"No one? Truly? That's peculiar." He remarked questioningly as he regarded them with a raised eyebrow. Disappointed. "None of you want to be known as the hero who caught Fouquet the Crumbling Sands?"
No one answered.
A wand is raised and it was Miss Valliere, much to everyone's surprise, including her familiar who quickly turned towards her.
"Miss Valliere!" Mrs. Cherveuse exclaimed. "You musn't do this! You're still a student. Please leave this matter to us."
"But.. None of you were willing to help..." The young Valliere muttered.
Mister Arc nodded in agreement and added his own piece. "She's right, sirs and madams. Wasting time to debate about this will only lead to losing Fouquet. We already faced her so we know what to expect."
Miss Vallire nodded appreciatively to her familiar, and looked serious when she remained resolute in volunteering for the task.
Seeing that Miss Valliere had her wand raised, Miss Zerbst raised her wand as well, though there was a little reluctance with her action.
"Miss Zerbst! You're just a student as well!"
The young Germanian shrugged and nonchalantly replied. "Well, I couldn't simply lose to the Vallieres in this regard."
Another surprised came about when Miss Tabitha did the same, which surprised Miss Zerbst.
"Tabitha! You don't need to do this! You don't have to concern yourself with this." Miss Zerbst said to her.
"I'm worried." Tabitha replied simply.
Seeing that three of his students were more willing to face Fouquet than his own faculty, Osmond guffawed and said. "Well then. I leave this matter to you four. You have my permission to confront Fouquet and retrieve the artifact."
There was an uproar from among the staff members and made themselves heard.
"Headmaster Osmond! I strongly object! We cannot possibly put the lives of our students in such danger!"
"Well then. Would you go in their stead, Mrs. Cherveuse?"
"Ah.. Erm... Well..."
"What about you, Mr. Guiteau? Mr. Gimli? I can see that you object my decision. Mayhaps you may go in their stead?"
Like before, there were hesitations and reluctance to accept the task at hand.
"Mister Arc is correct. They have seen Fouquet and are aware of her abilities." That seemed to annoy Miss Longueville for some reason. "And besides, even though Miss Tabitha is very young, I've heard that she has already been conferred with the title of chevalier. Was I right?"
Miss Tabitha didn't answer and merely nodded. The teachers were surprised by this revelation and looked at her with astonishment.
"Is that true, Tabitha?" Miss Zerbst asked, apparently not having known about it.
He could understand their reactions as it was quite the achievement especially for someone her age. The sons and daughters of lords and nobles were nominally given the title of Gentleman and Gentlewoman in recognition of their birthright. From there, they could rise to Escquire where they can take their first steps into gaining their own lordships.
But the title of Chevalier can only be be conferred by the Royal Family in recognition of one's service or royal patronage. From there, one could rise up to the rank of Viscount, leaping over the Lords and Barons, and were titles given to distinguished knights of the realm. Finally, they could reach the rank of Marquess, which is just below being a Duke, and were given presitgious positions of authority - mostly military. This path also gave the holder great prestige compared to their peers, and gained direct patronage from the Crown itself.
It's a coveted title and the preferred route of many young nobles, even disenfranchised mages, and it's why many aspired to become a knight. But it's also a hard path which had disillusioned many aspirants from their idealistic ambitions, for it is a title that can only be conferred by merit.
Miss Tabitha must have done a great service for her country to be given such a title.
Osmond turned to Miss Zerbst and said. "Miss Zerbst comes from a family of distinguished war heroes back in Germania, and she has great talent in fire magic. I'm sure she is up to the task at hand."
Miss Zerbst flicked her lush crimson hair with confidence at his words of praise. He then turned to Miss Valliere who was standing in attention.
Osmond found himself in a rather precarious position. He had nothing really to praise Miss Valliere about, and he didn't wish to invoke her anger. It wasn't easy to acquire replacements for furnitures while keeping the books clean.
"Urm.." Osmond cleared his throat as he kept himself from directly looking at the young Valliere, and said. "Miss comes from a prestigious family renowned for their mages and service to the crown. She has a promising future..."
Miss Valliere narrowed her eyes at him, and had strained smile on her face. Wishing to avoid an altercation, his gaze fell upon her familiar and brightened up as he finally got something speak about.
"There's Mister Arc here as well. He has soundly defeated General Gramont's son, Guiche de Gramont, in battle. " And this was despite not being a Gandalfr, which showed that he has great skills on his own. "He also faced Fouquet and survived pretty much unscathed. I'm confident in their skills to complete this task."
"Yes! Of course!" Colbert spoke up enthusiastically. "With his powers as the legendary Lif-"
"Ahem!" Osmond coughed loudly as he tapped the butt of his staff into the floor. Colbert quickly got his message and had an apologetic look on his face, having been reprimanded. He nodded sagely at him.
He also noticed Mister Arc looked at Colbert with a curious look on his face. It seemed that he would be expecting questions later once the crisis ended.
"Now then." The headmaster spoke within a solemn tone. "If anyone thinks they're more capable than these young volunteers, then please step forward."
There was silence, and no one else stepped forward. And with that, the decision is sealed.
He turned to the group of four and said. "You're now charged with the capture of Fouquet and the retrieval of the artifact. The academy awaits the success of your mission."
The three young mages held the edges of their skirts and made a curtsy. Jaune, meanwhile, placed a fist over his chest and bowed.
"I'll arrange for a transport to be made ready for you four. You must conserve your energy before your each your destination. Gather what you need and set off right away."
They nodded. Osmond then turned to his secretary and said. "Miss Longueville, could you go with them as well? You're the only one who knew where Fouquet is hiding."
"Yes, Headmaster Osmond." Miss Longueville answered with a curt bow. But he didn't see the small smile on her face.
With the headmaster's secretary leading the way, they quickly gathered their things and set off.
Their ride was fairly simple wooden wagon with bench-like seats its length. A single horse would be pulling the wagon towards their destination. At the very least they could quickly exit the wagon in case they're attacked along the way.
Miss Longueville had taken charge of driving the carriage since none of them knew about driving a carriage. Well Jaune had said he could drive a carriage, the self mobile version like the ones at the capital, since he had driven a vehicle similar to it before back in his homeland.
They had traveled along the path that would lead them towards forest where Fouquet had chosen to hide in.
Louise felt nervous about their mission, considering their encounter yesterday. She felt like a failure for not being able to even use her own explosions to stop the thief. Her familiar, and trusted protector, assured her that she hadn't done wrong and that at least they have learned things from it.
This is in sharp contrast to Jaune who seemed excited especially when they were preparing for their travel.
"It's our first actual mission. How can I not be excited? I've always dreamed of going on missions back home, so this is a dream come true." She remembered him saying back in her room.
She couldn't fault him for his feelings. He did came from a world of darkness and one where demonic beasts had reigned supreme. But it didn't mean that she could empathize with him. She couldn't even comprehend his mindset, but she had a feeling that her mother would be able understand him.
Maybe not, and her familiar would most likely be lectured in the Rule of Steel.
She is brought out of her ruminations when she heard Kirche speaking to Miss Longueville.
"So Miss Longueville... This type of job could be done by a commoner." Kirche started as she leaned on the wooden panel that separated the passenger side from the driver's seat. " So why did you have to do it yourself?"
Miss Longueville smiled and simply answered. "It's fine. I'm not a noble anyway."
This seemed to have intrigued Kirche and asked again. "But aren't you the headmaster's secretary?"
"Yes, I am. But the old headmaster isn't someone would be concerned by one's status when looking for help. Whether if one's a noble or a commoner, he would consider them fairly."
"Hmmm... Could you tell me how you lost your nobility, please?" Kirche asked her in a cutesy manner.
It didn't work as Miss Longueville merely kept her silence and concentrated on driving the wagon. She clearly didn't wish to speak about her past.
"Please tell me, even if it's a just a little." Kirche pestered as she leaned closer to Miss Longueville. Having none of it, Louise reached out and grabbed the Germanian by the shoulder. Kirche then turned to look at her, looking annoyed by the interruption, and said. "What do want, Valliere?"
"Will you stop digging up someone's past." Louise told her as she returned to her seat. "It's rude to be forcing someone to reveal something they clearly didn't want to speak about."
"Hmph. I was bored, and I wanted someone to talk to." Kirche replied as she sat back into the bench on her side of the wagon. "It's not like you would be much for a conversation." She quipped.
"I doubt you'd be a good to have conversation is in the first place." Louise snapped back at her. "I don't even know why you volunteered if you're not going to take this seriously."
"I only volunteered because you'd just have to play the hero."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Louise questioned as she narrowed her eyes to glare at her.
"We both know that you'll just leave all the fighting to Jaune once the fight starts." Kirche stated factually.
"You doubt my abilities?" Louise asked testily with a low growl.
"Without question. You will always be Zero." Kirche replied dismissively. "It would be best if you leave the matter to the rest of us."
"You, Germanian harlot." Louise growled each syllable as she tried to draw out her wand. But Jaune's hand reached out and gripped her wrist. She glared at Jaune and demanded. "What are you doing?"
Jaune shook his head. "You're letting Kirche get under your skin." He then sighed. "Just calm down and let me handle this."
"Yes, Louise. Let Jaune handles your problems for you." Kirche remarked teasingly.
"Trust me. I know what it's like when others doubted your abilities." He told her, ignoring Kirche's snide.
Louise took him at his word and calmed her ire, and Jaune gently let go of her wrist. She understood him since he also experienced the same mistreatment as she had. She never had anyone, aside from Big Sister Cattleya, who trusted her and didn't doubt her, and she clung to the Rule of Steel to see herself through the repeated attacks on her name and magic.
She's glad that she had Jaune as someone who she trust and support her. She was also grateful that he was her familiar. She could only imagine how she would react if she had someone less amicable as Jaune.
She watched Jaune turned to Kirche and calmly confronted her.
"What's your problem, Kirche? What's with the sudden hostility against Louise?"
"I am not being hostile, Jaune." Kirche denied. "I'm just being factual. She could only cast explosions, and I doubt that would be helpful in capturing Fouquet, or retrieving the artifact."
"Louise's Explosions are exactly what we need to deal with Fouquet." Jaune countered. "Or rather her golem. She could blast it at range while the rest of us either distract it or deal with Fouquet."
"Hmm... I see your point." Kirche allowed before she smirked. "I guess your explosions do have uses, Zero Louise."
Louise merely crossed her arms and huffed at her, not wanting to dignify it with a proper response.
Jaune sighed and mumbled something under his breath before he continued. "What exactly can you two actually? I know that can shoot fire, Kirche. But what else can you do?"
"Ooh? Why do you ask?" Kirche regarded him curiously. "Finally appreciating my arduous talents?" She added teasingly as she leaned down which showed more of her cleavage.
"I need to know what you and Tabitha here can do so we could formulate a plan." Jaune told her.
"Wouldn't it be better if we just set a trap and ambush Fouquet?"
"I doubt we would be that lucky." Jaune deadpanned. "So what can you and Tabitha do with magic?"
"Well I can shoot streaks of flame or concentrate it into a fireball." Kirche told him. "But with Tabitha here, she can use her wind magic to strengthen my flames to burn even hotter."
"Hmmm.. How hot exactly can you get your flames? And can you concentrate them into a smaller ball and hold it down tightly?" Jaune inquired, his face looking serious and clearly thinking it over.
"Well... I could melt metal easily with just my own magic." Kirche first stated. "I can't really make my fireball any smaller without weakening its power. But I could cast a stream of flame more tightly if I need do since I didn't have to contain it entirely. Why do you ask?"
"I was thinking of ways your flame can be used against the golem." Jaune told her. "The golem may just be a rock and stone but It's bulk could likely withstand your flames since Fouquet is a much more experienced mage."
"That's reasonable." Louise spoke, putting in her own thoughts. "Fouquet has to be at least a triangle mage to create a golem that size. She could easily create a golem that can withstand fire spells of similar strength."
"That's what I thought. It's why I asked if Kirche could control her flame more tightly." Jaune stated as he rubbed his chin. "If Kirche can manage it, she could create a tight stream of flame to create a torch-like effect."
"A torch? Like a lamp?" Kirche asked, confused by what he meant.
"I mean a torch that can be used to weld metal together or cut them apart." Jaune told her. Kirche nodded, albeit hesitantly. Louise did remember something like that back home when she watched some workers installing a metal structure on plot in the estate. "With that effect, she could overwhelm the golem's immunity to fire and do more damage at it."
Kirche pondered about Jaune's suggestion, and Louise could see merit to it, if reluctantly. She had no doubt the Germanian whore would dangle this over her head somehow.
"I could do it but it would be hard to concentrate on it while dealing with any of Fouquet's own attacks." Kirche informed them.
"That's alright. But it's better to have an option we can use." Jaune nodded before he gestured to Tabitha. "What about you? Can you only do Wind magic?"
Tabitha didn't answer immediately, and didn't even looked up from her book. But she soon answered with a soft tone. "Water and Wind. I can create Ice with them."
"I see." Jaune nodded as pondered on how to use that information. "Could use ice to immobilize the golem's movement or even Fouquet's. I can assume you could also make ice spikes as well?" He inquired, and Tabitha nodded. "That can be useful. So we have Fire, Ice, Wind and Explosions. I could work with that."
"What do you have in mind?" Louise asked him.
"I have something in mind, but it depends if Fouquet's golem function's the same like Guiche's Valkyries." Jaune replied.
Louise tilted her head, furrowing her eyebrows, and asked again. "What do you mean exactly?"
"Well... Can a golem still function even if they're cut apart? What's the limit of damage it sustain before it just collapse?" Jaune posed the questions to the mages. "During my duel with Guiche, I remembered that losing their heads or being split apart at the waist would be enough for them to just collapse."
"All golems require a spell matrix to function semi-autonomously, or even autonomously if one has the proper materials to create a core. Damaging this matrix will destroy a golem's ability to function, and for a mage to lose control. It is also composed of two parts. One is for spell-bond that a mage use to send commands and to share sight. The other is the egomatus which controls the golem's body itself." Louise informed him in a lecture.
She then continued. "In the case of Guiche's Valkyrie, the spell-bond is at the head and the egomatus is at the torso. This is why when you decapitate the head or severly damaged the torso is enough bring it down."
"What about Fouquet's?"
"That's more problematic since her golem's size and bulk would be enough to fashion a replica core to house the entire spell matrix. And this core would be located deep within it." She informed him with worry. "It was why I kept targeting its torso so I could hopefully break through and damage its core."
"That is a problem." Jaune nodded. He then scrunched his eyebrows as he got deep in thought. "That's going to be tough."
She agreed and her magic hadn't been sufficient to break through the golem's shell. Then there's the issue of its ability to repair any damage on itself.
"That's why said that it would be better if we could just ambush Fouquet and fight her directly. That way, we don't have to deal with the golem." Kirche stated.
"But Jaune is right. We need to have a plan to deal with the golem in case we have to." Louise countered. "We count disregard such a threat on the assumption of not needing to face it."
"I know that. But if we need to, we could just take the artifact and make our escape." Kirche told them.
"That would be for the best." Louise nodded in agreement. If they could just take the artifact, that would still be great. At least in the academy, it would be better protected and the professors on guard in case Fouquet returned.
"I agree. A simple smash and grab." Jaune concurred as well. "I have an idea on how to deal with the golem. One that should give us the best chance of succeeding."
"Oh? What do you have in mind?" Kirche asked with an intrigued look on her face.
"Yeah. It's a two-fold plan which gives us more options to end the fight. We either destroy the golem's replica core, or deal with Fouquet herself. Whichever comes first." Jaune informed them. "There's more of of us and one of her. We'd be more effective and flexible to complete this mission."
That made sense to Louise, and didn't make it mandatory to defeat the golem itself. If the opportunity presents itself, they could just focus on dealing with the thief. But there is still something that Jaune haven't answered.
"How do we deal with the golem then?"
Jaune started telling them about the plan he had in mind, and they listened closely as he explained different parts of the plan to them. It was not extensive or detailed, but it amazed Louise that Jaune was able to devise such a plan in a short time.
The plan was also simple to follow as it involved giving everyone roles on what to do. This gave each of them flexibility on how to enact them once they started.
They also discussed changes to the plan, with Tabitha giving small suggestions from time to time, as the wagon continued on trotting along the road.
They finally reached the edge of the forest where Fouquet had been hiding in. They got off the wagon and collected their things before setting off. Flying up in the sky was Tabitha's dragon familiar - Sylphid - who had been following them since they left the academy. Sylphid would serve as their eyes and ears in the sky and warn them of any danger.
They entered the forest with Miss Longueville leading the way in. It was dark inside with the forest canopy blocking much of the sunlight, and shadows were all around them which Louise found discomforting. She shivered when a foreboding thought came to mind.
The shadows of the forest reminded her of her nightmares that she had been having for a while now. Even with assurances from Jaune, she couldn't stop thinking about the world that Jaune had fought... Well not fought. Lived on his whole life. Another reason why she gave credence to his counsel aside from his courteous conduct with her.
She kept glancing at the forest around her and half-expected to see the glowing crimson eyes glaring from the shadows. She must have been fidgeting since the others took notice of her.
"Getting cold feet there, Zero Louise?" Kirche asked teasingly. "It's quite too late to back out now that we're in the forest."
"I didn't ask for your opinion, Zerbst." Louise snapped back, sounding forced and weak.
Kirche merely smiled at her, patronizing her, before she continued after Miss Longueville. Tabitha walked past her with while she stoically observed her surroundings.
"You alright, Louise?" Jaune asked after catching up to her.
"I'm fine." She quickly replied, but Jaune didn't seem to believe her word.
"You were having a fright since we've entered the forest." Jaune asked in a hushed tone, so that the others wouldn't hear them. "Are you... afraid of the dark?" He inquired, trying not to sound disrespectful.
"I'm not." She firmly told him.
"Then what's bothering you?" Jaune pressed but she was hesitant to answer. A thought must have came to his mind when he looked around before he looked back to her. "Were you thinking about... The Grimm?" He whispered.
Louise slowly nodded and Jaune quietly sighed. "I told you that you don't have to worry about them. They don't exist here. You know that."
"I know. But I couldn't help it." She replied back. "But these dreams kept returning. Sometimes it was my home.. But most of the time, it was in a dark forest like this." She told him. "But what I remember most vividly is a large house with a large garden and yard around it, and enclosed by a low stonewall with iron fences on top. It looked empty... and abandoned." She sounded sad as she said that but she didn't know why.
"Oh..." Jaune looked sympathetic... And guilty about that. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
"Don't be. I'll be fine, Jaune."
Jaune then caught her by surprise when he reached around her back and pulled her close.
"W-what are you doing?"
She was held close to him, shoulder to shoulder, and he gently patted her arm. It felt strangely comforting.
"You'll be alright, Louise. You have nothing about the Grimm. But remember that I'm here as well." He told her before saying. "I'll protect you. i promise you that. Arc's word."
Louise smiled and nodded at his promise, feeling reassured by his presence.
"I'll hold you to that."
They travelled deep in the forest with Miss Longueville taking them through the foilage and away from the existing path. This was to keep their presence hidden from Fouquet and avoid traps along the path. They soon reached a bright clearing in the forest, much to their relief.
They stopped and hid behind the cover of bushes and trees near the edge of the clearing. They then looked out to examine the clearing.
"That's the place." Miss Longueville pointed at an old log cabin located on the other side of the clearing. "That's where Fouquet had been said to use as a hideout."
"Got it." Jaune replied before asking. "Can anyone see any recent footprints or anything out of place?"
"I don't see anything." Kirche answered with a glance around the clearing. "It looks clear."
Tabitha nodded in agreement. "I heard nothing in the wind."
"No one seems to be here for a while." Louise answered as well, having checked the ground for any abnormality.
"Could Fouquet be really hiding there? It looks abandoned." Kirche remarked skeptically.
"Yeah. But she could have covered her tracks. She's an earth mage, so that's easy to do." Jaune stated, and it made sense to Louise.
"So how do we lure Fouquet out?" Kirche asked.
"Stick to the plan." Jaune quickly replied. "We quietly make our approach and hopefully catch Fouquet by surrpise." He then pointed along the edges of the clearing towards the cabin. "We go along that, and get behind the cabin. From there, check out if its occupied."
"If it's occupied?"
"Breach and Clear." Jaune simply answered.
They nodded in agreement, having understood his meaning. It meant that they Kirche would blast the door with a small fireball, hopefully disorienting the thief, and Tabitha would encase her in ice. If that fails, they would let Louise cast a small explosion spell which would hopefully knock the thief out.
"I'll take point. Everyone else follow behind." Jaune informed them.
"I'll stay here, and watch out for Fouquet in case she isn't the house." Miss Longueville told them.
Once everyone agreed, the four teenagers snuck around the clearing and made sure not to make noises that could alert anyone inside the cabin. They quickly approached the rear of the cabin and hid behind bushes once again.
"Wait here. Let me try something." Jaune told them.
"What are you doing?" Louise asked.
"I'll use my aura to see if anyone's inside." Jaune answered and pointed at one of his eyes.
"Ah." Louise nodded, having been told about it before when Jaune was still training.
The other two looked confused, well mostly Kirche as Tabitha seemed indifferent, since they didn't know about aura and likely just knew more about it.
"How does that work?" Kirche asked.
"Every living thing has a soul, and aura comes from the soul. I can use my aura to see if anyone's inside." Jaune told them.
"Oh? That's useful." Kirche commented, curious about what he had just told her. "You'll have to tell me more about it later."
"We'll see." Jaune replied.
Louise would disagree but she digressed since Jaune had already shown his aura yesterday. She wouldn't like it and may dissuade Jaune from doing so, but she won't stop him. Besides, Jaune had proven to be a better familiar to Kirche's fire salamander.
Jaune cupped his eyes as though he was holding a binocle, and stared at the house for a few moments.
"I don't see any aura inside. It seems empty." Jaune told them as he uncovered his eyes. "I'll check the window, just to be sure."
He left cover and quietly crept across clearing before he pressed himself on the wall. He then moved towards a nearby window and looked inside.
He looked towards them and gave them a thumbs up, signalling that the house is empty. He then waved them over.
With a sense of relief, they quickly moved out of cover and approached the cabin. They then circled around and reached the door.
Tabitha took point and waved her staff at and around the door. Not detecting anything amiss, she then muttered. "There's no trap."
She tested the door handle, finding it unlocked, and opened the door before entering. Jaune followed inside while Kirche and Louise remained outside to keep watch.
"This seems too easy." Kirche remarked.
"Won't this better? We got the artifact and we can set up an ambush for Fouquet." Louise asked her.
"I know. It's just that... I have a bad feeling about this." Kirche admitted, sounding uneased about it.
Her words were proven true when the ground before them crumbled and a giant of earth rose up. The golem looked nigh similar to the golem that Louise had seen back in the academy. It casted a great shadow upon the cabin as it looked down upon them.
Kirche was the first to act. She took out her wand and unleashed a torrent of flame against. The golem stumbled but held strong despite the burning heat.
"Jaune!" Louise shouted as she took out her own wand. She pointed it towards the golem and casted.
"Explosion!"
A/N: The cabin fight has commenced, and it seemed that Kirche and Louise had taken the initiative. But at least Team AVZT came with a plan compared to canon.
From re-reading and re-watching Familiar of Zero, there seemed to be a genuine fear amongst the staff who are experienced mages in their own right. I figured this was likely due to Fouquet's reputation, and not wanting to be dishonored as a failure.
But I wonder how this kind of situation compare to the one with RWBY who either took the initiative or were sent as scouts by Headmaster Ozpin. Their situations seemed similar, and actually one of the reason why I made this crossover. There are parallels between the two.
Next chapter will be Team AVZT debut fight as a team, and Fouquet will be showing off more, though her golem proxy of course.
Team AVZT? Team Avalon perhaps? Any suggestions?