A/N: Sorry for the very long update. This chapter is dedicated for minchi-san who had helped me with the Vision world map. :D This story hadn't being beta-ed. I know this site had some kind of feature to show whoever is capable and willing to be a beta reader, but I don't want to have someone who doesn't know about this series to beta it. So whoever has a good structure and grammar in English and willing to help being a beta, please PM me. Now for everyone who had waited, hope you enjoy the story.

Title: calumniārī

Disc: Brave Story is an animation copyrighted by Gonzo and a novel written by Miyuki Miyabe

When Wataru finished soaking the dirt and dust all over him, sliding the door, he found Mitsuru had been asleep. His damp towel was still clutched in his hand. Judging from his sleeping position, he should have fallen asleep when he decided to lie down from his previously sitting position. He must've been tired. His friend was never a sport type person. That didn't mean he didn't feel tired, but his friend must've two folds impact. He stared at him while drying his hair. That would not do. Sleeping in that position would end up in stiff hip. Not to mention the damp towel would also dampen the bed. He smiled softly. Never once occurred in his mind that he would baby sit his friend. He pulled out the towel from Mitsuru's grip and lifted his feet so he slept in the right position. He took his own blanket and covered him. Mitsuru's hair was still wet but he would overlook it this once. He remembered how often he heard his mom telling him not to sleep when your hair was still wet, she said the water would sip into your brain and you would suffer some kind of brain disease which end up in death. He didn't know whether it was true or not, but better safe than sorry.

Piling their dirty clothes in a basket (yes, he would not want to wear that gear for days again like before even though how comfortable it had been), Wataru was thinking of what he should do for now. His stomach answered him. Well, nobody could think with an empty stomach. But it had given him a good idea. Why he didn't try to find more information from inn's saloon? He could eat and he could ask while eating. That seemed to be a bright idea for his currently hungry self. Waking Mitsuru up would not do, he could return later with food for him. His friend would need all the rest he could get.

Wataru silently locking the door, not wanting to disturb his friend's sleep (though he doubted he could, else his friend would've been awoken since Wataru lifted him). Pocketing the key in his jeans, he ascended the stairs, zipping his indigo jacket after being greeted with night cold breeze from opened entrance. After asking the innkeeper, he marched toward another door at the opposite, heading to the saloon. Opening the door, he was welcomed with the sight of the busy bar. It was as common as any other pub you usually see though this one was using bright but soft lightning and none of the customers were human.

He took an empty seat at one end of the noisy table and called for the crocodile servant to give him menu. Realizing he couldn't read when the servant handed him the menu, he asked sheepishly to the servant about their favourite course. The servant recommended him a few suggestions without suspicion. The names sounded a bit strange in his ear. Did he just hear Portuvelle Agoin? And Recshat? Not to mention he didn't know what food was each of this names representing, he didn't even believe that he could repeat it again without mistake. Lucky the servant provided him with the description of each menu. He decided to go with some kind of fried fish, spinach soup and a plate of rice. Watching the servant disappeared behind the door near the bar counter, he sighed. Ordering food had never been so difficult. Looking back, his previous trip to Vision could be counted as very lucky. He didn't need to worry about food, money, stuff and even finding information. He sighed again, staring unfocusedly to the front, oblivious to the crowd around him. He was not mourning for lack of friends to count on this journey -- he had a very dependable one right now. He was thinking nothing in particular. And he would stay in that state until his meal showed up.

Mitsuru was tossing in his bed. Another disturbing dream haunted his sleep. He twitched but not yet awoken. The dream was like an old film -- and old film with static which disturb the flow and quality of the images.

For a flash moment he saw a voracious man clenching a bloody sword. He couldn't see his face for he was backing him, but he could see his tense shoulder and agitated breath. The man's stiff aura was blending with the still forestry environment. His vision was diverted to the the fresh blood in that man's hand and sword, trickling pass the glinting steel surface of the blade, creating a line of small red river and ticking to the red damp ground below. Another man was at that man's feet, lying down his face. The man must've slashed him - if not worse.

I don't care what sin I should commit, who should I sacrifice... as long as I can get my wish come true, I'll do whatever it takes.Mitsuru heard the man's voice loud and clear -- as if the sound was echoing in his own head. Who did he speak to? Was the man speaking to him? He couldn't ask. He could only watch. It was as if he was a parasite in someone's body and view whatever that person view. He had no freedom of speech or gesture.

The images then shuffled and Mitsuru now see a view from a high stone hill. The forest below was burning under the fire rage. He could feel a tight suffocating feeling in his chest. It was as if he could see the trees below shouting, suffering under the blazing heat. But he noticed there were other reasons, something that he could not exactly remember, the real reason of his sadness.

I've already gone too far, I can't turn back now... You of all people should understand... With surprise, he heard his own voice. It was a whisper -- a harsh murmur emerged from a clogged throat.

What did it mean? Was this his memory? Was this what Wataru had told him all along? Numerous uncomfortable feeling emerged. Anxiety, doubt, denial -- many else -- but the strongest of them was fear. What Wataru had warned him had come true. If this was truly his memory, what should he do when he knew he had done many despicable things? Things that he didn't even want to remember. Forgetting is mainly because of the person's own unwillingness for not remembering. It was something he ever heard. His confidence for accepting his whole person -- if this was really his memory -- was wavering.

He suddenly felt the movement. The person was walking to the end of the cropped hill. Mitsuru thought he would stop at the end but he kept walking and he was dropping from the deadly height. Mitsuru could feel the chilling falling sensation and it shot open his eyes, awaken him from his inescapable nightmare. He didn't notice his hand was still hanging in air -- a feeble reaction to grab something for stopping his falling momentum.

He sat up abruptly and pressed his face with both of his hand, drawing his knees to his chest, trying to gain his sense and composure, trying to get rid of the fear – fear which is shivering his body.

Wataru had just finished his dinner. Nice stuff. He was full and happy. He told the servant to pack one more set. The bill would be charged through the inn. He sat there, sipping his water, waiting for his order to come. Suddenly someone tapped his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw an alligator was smiling – if it could be called as smile, he didn't even sure that he ever saw an alligator's smile. He was holding a wooden bucket in his hand.

"It was rare to see human in here. What are ya doin' in here boy?"

Wataru hesitated to tell the truth. "Eating and drinking." The smartest answer he could think of.

Then the alligator laughed. Liquid was spilling from his shaken bucket. He took a seat at the end of the bench, slightly pushing Wataru to gain himself space. "Show me what you drank." He took a peek at Wataru's bucket and laughed again. Wataru failed to see which part of his bucket was funny, just as he failed to see why his answer was so entertaining. "Ya call that 'drink', boy? Ya need to taste this bar's ale! They are the best in this region!" He called a servant and asked for a bucket of ale without Wataru's consent. "Try it, it's on me!" He said when the ale arrived.

Didn't want to be rude, Wataru took a small sip. The ale was sweet in his tongue and warm in his throat and stomach.

The alligator grinned at him. "Ya like it boy?"

Wataru nodded with slight smile and gratitude. Then suddenly a hand snaked on his shoulder, he was being bogged with a heavy body of a horse. Wataru shrieked in surprise.

"So, wuos zat ma fault fhor bheing a zreider??" He said to Wataru. His words were slurred and his breath was laden with alcohol. His ale was shaking dangerously in his wobbling hand.

Wataru struggled to push him away. "I don't understand what you are talking about!"

"Curze zat war! Curze zat Highlander!" He said, thrusting his bucket to the air, emphasizing his anger, ignoring the ale which sprayed all over the table. Some of other customer swore at him but he practically too drunk to be aware.

"Life is hard for the traders I see."

Wataru turned his head to the alligator. "You understand what he was saying?" He was pretty astonished.

"Not really. But most traders would curse the war and the Highlander. Not only traders actually…"

"What war?"

He looked at Wataru for nearly half minute before answering. The previous statement had clearly reveal Wataru's identity. "Nobody living in this world would not know about the war. Except if they were less than 5 years old – too young to understand. And you are of course not under that age."

Wataru shifted his gaze on his ale, taking another small sip. He didn't want to lie, but now after this new acquaintance found out about his fib, he didn't feel the need to explain. Luckily, the alligator didn't push the matter. He took another gulp before start to explain in low voice.

"Everybody would still remember that outrageous night. The night when the evil monster was released and covered the world in desperate darkness." He shivered.

"It was said that the monster was released by the traveler. I can still recall how that 'thing' had killed many of us without so much as a fight…"

Wataru shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He knew it. He knew aside from the Ilda kingdom where the monster Mitsuru had released, casualties would spread all over Vision world. He knew it. Sometimes back then, after he had returned to his world, he would ponder about it. He had hoped that everything would turn better. Everybody would be fine. However, apparently the reality was not as good as he had wished for.

"After the sudden disappearance of the monster, the other country started to blame Ilda Empire. They blamed the country for its weak defense. They even suspected that they was going to use the monster as a tool to control the world. Countries suspected each other. It wasn't long until an all out war break." He sighed.

Wataru forlornly gulped his ale. Never in his mind occurred the possibility of their action would affect the whole world – not in positive way, but negative way. He felt very guilty for all the miserableness everyone had experienced.

"The war went for 5 years before peace treaty was signed. Highlander was trying their best to keep neutral during the war. At first, most of the refugees were finding asylum in Higlander region, but soon, they were being flooded with refugees torrent and forced to close their border. I think it was hard on them too, to turn their back to the refugees." He paused, drenching his thirsty throat.

"Things were improving slowly after the truce, but traveling between countries is hard. Strict security is enforced in all countries."

A cat servant suddenly appeared behind Wataru. "This is your order, sir."

Wataru took it with gratitude. He felt tired, warm bed was a nice inviting comfort. "Thank you for the story and the ale, um…"

"El Lagarto."

"Oh, thank you El Lagarto-san. My name is Wataru. Hope we will meet again the future." Wataru rose from his seat. El nodded.

"Hope you will bring good fortune. May Goddess of Fortune be with you." He murmured softly, drowned under the noisy chatter and shout across the room.

Wataru stepped out of the loud saloon. The silent front room and cold breeze greet him in lonesome night.

He sighed. His head was a bit heavy. He had only drunk less than a bucket! Probably the ale was not as light as what he had expected…

Eventually he calm down. Noticing his surrounding for the first time, he pulled the tangled blanket in his feet. Setting it aside, he saw his blanket was folded neatly at the bed end. His sleepy mind was slowly catching up. If his blanket was still folded neatly, then this must be Wataru's. Casting his glance all over the room, he found none of his friend's presence. Then he tried to remember when he had fallen asleep. He was suppose to take a bath then… then he didn't remember anything. He must've dozed off accidentally. Now where had his friend gone?

Before he could think of any possible answer, clicking sound was heard from the door – indicating someone was opening the key lock. The door opened revealing his friend in jacket and jeans.

"Oh, you have awaken?"

"Where did you go?"

Wataru didn't answer. Instead, he thrust him the wooden box in his hand. "You must be hungry. Eat this." Mitsuru took it with confusion, and then frowned a bit. His nose picked up an unfamiliar alcoholic whiff. Wataru walked to his bed and slumped on it.

"You drank?" He said unbelievably.

"A bit." Wataru sound was muffled under his pillow.

Another knock was heard on the door

"Come in." Mitsuru said.

A female cat in maid attire came in. "Did you want your laundry clean sir?"

Wataru pointed absent-mindedly to the lattice basket. The maid heaved the basket up and left the room after telling them that the cleaned cloth would be delivered along with the breakfast.

"I can't believe you drink!" He was disappointed not with the fact that his friend had trespassed the under age regulation (nobody would know it in here), but his friend managed to drink in his pretty dire situation. He had been worrying for his condition but obviously his friend was not as worried as he had been. How stupid he had felt.

"I was not intending to. There was someone who treated me." Wataru answered, still with his muffled voice. "Can I sleep first? You can ask me tomorrow… My head feel so heavy…"

"Yeah, yeah. Go ahead." Mitsuru opened and ravaged his dinner. He didn't realized that he was hungry after all that shocking… dream? Revelation? He didn't even know how to label it.

The moment he finished his meal, Wataru had fallen into the dream world. He looked at his wristwatch. Ten o'clock. He had just eaten. He was not the type who could sleep directly after his stomach was filled. Not like a certain someone. He glanced to his friend. Sighing, he rose up. He spread the blanket over his friend and tucked it. He didn't know that the same gesture had just been performed on himself as the subject. The silent room became the mute witness for their attention to each other.

Mitsuru didn't feel like sleeping, so he considered his limited options and decided to challenge the cool night air. He took out the similar jacket from his sport bag. They bought the jacket together when they went to Hokkaido last winter. He locked the door and ascended the stairs. The front door still opened, welcoming any traveler who wished to find a shelter. He ignored the dozed-off cat receptionist and walked out to the quiet street. In an instance, he was surprised with uncountable stars which draped over the night sky. It reminded him of how small he was, how insignificant, just a tiny living being in this universe. He drank over the scenery with tiny smile. This was not something that he could find in his current world, where skyscrapers were abundant, where nearly everyone lives with carpe diem – resulting in obliviousness to the nature demolition.

He wandered aimlessly, letting his feet taking him. Sometimes he would pass over a strange and creepy gang of lizard but he didn't afraid, he had none they could take. He was penniless. Mostly he saw dark and quiet houses but occasionally he would pass over a merry bar, where yellow light shone trough the thick glass window and sipped below the door. Then he passed a small lighted house. Curious, he stood a bit far from the glass window, not close enough to be noticed by inhabitants but enough for him to see. Apparently the father of the family had just returned, and the cat family was welcoming him. He saw them gave him a small hug in turn and he smiled. He remembered well that he also did that when his parents were still living – when his family was still complete. His mother, sister and he would greet their father who had just returned from work. They would run to him and sometimes nearly knocked him down. Everything was perfect until that accident happened. The house became unbearably quiet.

He bent and clutched his head abruptly. Slight frown was carved in his usually smooth forehead. Did he just mention 'alone'? His mind must've slipped. He still had his sister. He was never alone. Or was he? He frowned deeper and winced. He couldn't remember something. Even though he tried hard, he still couldn't recall what it was about. At some length, he waved his head strongly, as if to wave those feeling away – no, he was indeed trying to wave those feeling away. He straightened up and took a deep breath. He didn't notice that he was sweating. When he opened his eyes, his expression was weary. He resumed his walk, trying to find somewhere crowded. He felt uneasy, alone in this quiet street.

He thought he was imagining things when he heard some noises from the left. But following the whispering murmur which soon turned into a noisy buzz, he arrived in a busy night market. It appeared that there would always be a part inside a city which would never sleep. Mitsuru was relieved. He walked through the busy crowds and took a peek in each stand. Blending into a busy crowd sometimes might give good effects. When you avoid thinking, noisy crowd could help you unfocused. It also gave you the freedom to be alone. When you disturb no one, no one would disturb you. You were among many people, but you were also alone. That was the irony of the reality.

When he looked at his watch, he was surprised that he had spent nearly 2 hours. He left the flea market and found his way back to the inn. Opening his room door, his friend was still sleeping soundly at his bed. He laid down, trying to sleep but end up rolling left and right. He sat in frustration. Suddenly he saw Wataru stirred. Something was glowing at his chest - underneath his jacket. He approached him and meant to wake him. However, when he touched his friend, his conscious was suddenly drawn into a borderless black space. He couldn't feel his body; he was just a mind existing in that space. He could hear words. There was a conversation ongoing.

Wataru was growing familiar to the darkness around him. He knew this must be one of those dreams.

"I've came as you've said. I've came to find you. Why don't you show yourself?"

His statements were welcomed with a shrill laugh. "Why should I?"

"Quit playing hide and seek!"

"It won't be exciting if I reveal myself. Let me be a kind host and tell you a useful fact."

Wataru was annoyed but he waited for her to finish.

"That curse is reacting to the distance of the caster. When you come nearer to me, the mark would spread faster. When the mark covers your whole body, then you will expire." She laughed.

Wataru didn't feel her news was that joyful. "Tell me one thing. Are you the frog witch?"

"I have name you know. But," She paused. "For the magician brat there, I don't think you should eavesdrop on someone else's conversation. Have not you parents taught you that? Oh, I forgot. You didn't have any. That was the reason you came here last time, wasn't it?" She laughed again. "Well then, Wataru. Let's see whether you can find me first or my curse will kill you first. I'm looking forward to meet you. And you may bring your feeble magician friend along as well."

The dark space suddenly gone and Wataru could feel that he was dropping from an immeasurable height. He was falling, falling, falling into immeasurable space.

A/N: This time the title – calumniārī - is from Latin, root of 'challenge' word in English. My sister was referring to the challenge the villain had proposed to Wataru. Now I'm challenging you, tell me what you think about this chapter. :D