"These are my teammates? I'd fare better with an army of cows by my side." Grima tells Kiran.
"Be nice to them. At the very least don't make fun of the people who could very well save your life." Grima walks out into the hallway, the other heroes apprehensive.
"Let me introduce them. Today, we'll be working with Ninian, she can dance to invigorate us."
Ninian performs a small curtsy, as far as her mermaid dress allows her. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Ninian keeps her distance, sensing the displeasure in Grima.
"And here we have Tiki and Sakura. They're both a bit shy though. Why don't you two come out and say hello." The two of them hide behind Kiran; Sakura steps out from behind him, smoothing out her outfit.
"He-hello. I'm Sakura." Sakura keeps her eyes glued to the floor. Shaking her hands until she speaks again. "And I'll- and I'll be here to heal!" Forgetting to bow, Sakura runs back behind Kiran.
"Come out spawn of Naga." Grima drills holes into Kiran's skull.
"I sense dark energy coming from you." Tiki remains behind Kiran, clutching her dragonstone.
"Why have you brought her here?"
"I promised Tiki that I would introduce her to every manakete I summon." Kiran pats Tiki's head.
"He's no manakete," Tiki objects.
"To compare me to a manakete is to compare a horse to a mere dog. I have no need for a dragonstone unlike these two fools. Now let us make haste for these doomed enemies." Grima starts heading towards the main hall.
"You're going the wrong way. If everyone has their weapons, then let's head out." Kiran begins walking the opposite way of Grima. Ninian, Tiki, and Sakura walking behind him, the four of them making light conversation as Grima skulks behind them. The scenery of the castle eventually gets replaced with Askr's natural landscape. The lush fauna not reflective of the country's dire situation. Grima glares at the environment, the bountiful patches of tulips, roses and orchids swaying in the gentle wind, the tree leaves rustling as some of them fall; green mountains in the background under the light blue sky. A cobbled pathway eventually leads to a large tower in the distance. The rest of the group stops at Kiran's command.
"Why are we stopping?" Grima kicks a patch of grass, uprooted in an instant.
"Before we go any further, I thought it would be best to see if you're fine to keep going."
"I don't need your concern." Grima shoves Kiran out of the way, marching past the group, walking along the cobbled path.
"At least he's going the right way this time. If I ever ask you three for anything, just remind me of this to get a free pass on a mission." The team resumes their trek towards the tower. Eventually the four of them catch up to Grima, the fell dragon waiting outside the tower.
"Let's go in, shall we?" Kiran unlocks the tower door, a sole portal contained within. Kiran takes a step within the portal, his figure disappearing. Sakura and Tiki follow after him, Ninian giving a glance at Grima before stepping into the portal as well. Grima reluctantly follows, his body disappearing into the portal.
"You were right Kiran." Ninian says. The ice manakete smiling as she clutches her stone.
"I told you he'd follow. Now for some rules, -" The sounds of hooves quickly draw nearer, two sword cavalries charging at them. "Tiki! Protect Sakura; Ninian, stay near Grima. Hey Grima, wait up!" Ignoring Kiran's command, Grima walks toward the cavalry. As both attackers get closer, a deafening screech roars in the distance. Both attackers stopping in place, searching for the sound. A large black figure zooms through the sky, a Grima's dragon form appearing behind him. A couple of seconds is all it takes for the dragon to breath purple fumes. The horse and their owners leaving no trace once the attack ends.
"Is this all you pathetic mortals have to offer? Suffer under the oppressive might of the fell dragon Grima." Grima's dragon form flies forward, decimating the rest of the enemy. "Are we finished here yet. This was a complete waste of my time."
"I guess we can head back. Sorry for bothe- Grima watch out!" The ground underneath Grima lights up, columns of flame rising. Kiran reaches out to Grima, pulling him away from the flames. Some of the flames burn a chunk of Kiran's lower robes and a portion of his right calf. Sakura runs to Kiran's side as Grima kills the red mage.
"Kiran, your leg." Lowering her staff to Kiran's leg, Sakura's staff begins to glow until Kiran gently pushes it away.
"We can't stay here longer, let's go." Kiran forces himself up, limping his way to the portal before waiting. "Retreat now!" Though no current enemies remain, the group minus Grima rushes to the portal retreating. Grima walks to the portal, his dragon form hanging nearby.
"Great job today, but let's just go for now." Without a word, Grima walks through the portal, Kiran hobbling after him. Appearing inside the tower, Kiran gets rushed by Sakura once again.
"Please hold still! Ninian, can you help cool his wound, gently please."
Ninian walks to the opposite side of Kiran and places her hands near his wound. "This may sting a bit. Forgive me." A chilling feeling feels from Ninian's hands, Kiran gripping his fingers into his arm. A minute passes until the chilling sensation dies out.
"Let me bandage it." Sakura pulls out some bandages, wrapping them around Kiran's injured calf. Wrapping them tightly, Sakura cuts the bandage, making sure they're secure.
"Thank you. Now let's head back to the castle, at least no one was seriously hurt." Kiran escorts everyone out the tower, locks it and then leads the way on his injured feet.
"Ah, Kiran! You shouldn't…" Sakura trails off upon noticing Kiran merely continues forward. His right leg trailing behind. Sakura gives a brief glance towards Grima, opening her mouth before closing it, striding to catch up to Kiran.
"You should help him. Especially after he helped you avoid the attack." Ninian confronts Grima. Grima leans against the outside tower wall, Tiki standing beside Ninian.
"He brought it upon himself. I didn't require his help." Grima stares off into some bushes. The leaves rustling in the light breeze, the sun slowly setting.
"Perhaps, but if he hadn't helped you, you'd be the injured one, and not just your leg."
"He brought me into this wretched situation. Along with you and Naga's child. You are manaketes, why do you listen to such a worm?" Tiki speaks up in response to Grima's question.
"Kiran was summoned here like us. He was forced into this situation like us, but now he has to deal with all these responsibilities." Ninian places a hand on Tiki's shoulder, the young girl stopping in response.
"He treats us fairly. When we were under Emblian command, we were given no option. I'm sure you experienced the same with them." Grima spits on the floor.
"All humans are the same." Ninian frowns from Grima's statement.
"Humans are just like us. They're very complex creatures with varying differences. I met a man; Lord Eliwood, he helped me and my brother expecting nothing in return. Through him I met countless other kind humans such as Lady Lyndis who asked nothing more than my companionship. Kiran is like them."
"I met Mar-Mar! He helped defeat Gharnef and took me in. He was there for me as well. I met a bunch of great friends because of Mar-Mar…" Tiki trails off, a bit upset.
"Enough of your pathetic stories. I have no need for them."
"But-" Ninian interrupts Tiki.
"Let's go Tiki. We tried. Fae and Nowi must be waiting for you back at the castle."
"You're right. Let's go!" Tiki runs off towards Sakura and Kiran, the two of them far ahead by now.
"It was nice meeting you Grima." Ninian gives a small curtsy, departing as well. The ice dragon in no rush.
"The same cannot be said for you." Now alone, Grima hear the crunching of leaves as Tiki purposefully steps on them. "Damned idiots." Grima marches forward, quickly passing up Ninian, decidedly ignoring her grin. Eventually he catches up to Kiran, the summoner walking slower than a snail. Sakura remains by Kiran's side, Tiki now in the lead.
"Do you need anything?" Sakura gradually picks up her pace, nearing more towards Tiki than Grima.
"Give me your right arm." Kiran looks at Grima as if he's holding a knife to him.
"Uhm…" Grima yanks Kiran's right arm, pulling it around his neck. "Hey!"
"Shut up before I regret this."
"Oh. Thank you." Kiran smiles radiantly at Grima; Grima remains silent, a frown on his face.
"I didn't need your help. I could have taken care of the mage myself."
"You probably could have, but I didn't want to risk you getting hurt."
"You show promise, despite being human. If you continue to appease, I may let you serve me." Grima smiles at Kiran, his sharp fangs exposed; grima's eyes certainly making it obvious that he doesn't intend to have Kiran help him achieve world peace.
"Thanks, but I think I'll have to decline the offer." Grima snarls but keeps supporting Kiran. The rest of the walk back to the castle is uneventful, the main noise coming from Kiran's slight groans due to his injury.. Soon all five of them reach the castle, Grima letting go of Kiran.
"This concludes our mission! Thanks to all four of you for accompanying me. You're dismissed." Everyone departs, leaving Kiran and Grima alone. "I assume you're going back to your room?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go. I think I'll retire for the night." Kiran leads the way back to their living area. Kiran supporting himself against the wall. Thankfully, they encounter no one. Soon, they arrive at their rooms. "Thank you again. If there's anything you need, knock on my door."
"Hmph." Grima enters his room, the door closing gently.
"Goodnight!" Kiran enters his room as well, changing into his nightclothes; the fatigue getting to him seconds upon resting his weary head on his pillow.