Two new characters are introduced this chapter.

Chapter 5: En route to Sheridan

A young man walked through the Daath, cutting through a crowd of people. He was somewhat short, so it was a bit difficult to see him among them all. His choppy black hair brushing against the people in the crowd. He pushed through and fell to the ground. In front of him stood Fon Master Florian and his head on Master Guardian Anise Tatlin.

Florian looked at the boy and smiled. "An Oracle Knight? And a novice, too."

The young man stood up and saluted him. "Yes sir! Cadet Ethan Dodger reporting!"

Anise walked over to him and looked at him closely. "Brown eyes, peach skin, that brown scarf… I've seen you before."

Anise grabbed his hand and began dragging him towards the cathedral. "Miss Tatlin, where are you taking me?" Florian followed the two.

Skit: The Doll

Ethan: Miss Tatlin, can I ask you something?

Anise: What is it?

Ethan: About that doll on your back…

Florian: You mean Tokunaga? She carries him everywhere.

Ethan: Really? I don't mean to be rude, but aren't you a little too old to be doing that?

Anise: Tokunaga helps me in battle; I carry him in case I have to fight.

Ethan: I see. That's- wait, what? You fight with a doll? How?

Florian: I'm not sure myself.

Anise: Don't expect me to tell you anytime soon.

Ethan: B-but…!

Anise: No exceptions!

A girl sat in a room of the cathedral, sunlight coming in through the window. Her waist long blonde hair falling next to her chair. Her sea green eyes looking intently at a book through her reading glasses. She rested the book in her lap on her black pants. On the back of her chair rested a black sleeveless overcoat, with cut to red at the bottom. A wide brown belt rested on the edge of the chair, there was a small dagger attached to it. The door opened and she looked up.

Ethan stood in the doorway. "Excuse me, miss, are you Reva Fortier?"

She closed the book. "Who are you that you want to know?"

He walked a bit closer. "My name is Ethan Dodger. I'm a member of your brother, Captain Leo Fortier's brigade."

Reva stood and back away. "Why are you here then?"

Ethan sighed. "I apologize for making you uncomfortable. Your brother has instructed me to tell you that he is going on another assignment, and that he might be away longer than usual." Reva looked out the window. Ethan walked a bit closer. "If you'd be so kind to-"

"Leave."

"W-what?"

"Leave, stop bothering me."

A man walked behind Ethan, panting heavily. "Sorry about that." He walked over to Reva and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry that this is so sudden. Just go with him, it'll be best for you to get out of Daath."

Reva sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'm so sure that I'd be safe with a rookie of all people."

Ethan clenched a fist. "Miss Fortier, I'm perfectly ca-"

"I'm sorry. A big, strong man guy like you is more than capable of protecting me."

Ethan stepped forward. "Miss Fortier, I may be a novice, but have some faith in me!"

Reva stepped forward as well. "Why would I have faith in a little rookie like you?!"

"What do you mean by little?!"

"You're short!"

"Why you little b-"

Leo rubbed his temple. "Enough!" The two crossed their arms and turned away. Leo sighed. "Reva, while you are with Ethan, behave. As for you Ethan, please don't lash out at my sister like that again."

Ethan saluted Leo. "Yes sir. I apologize for being rude. I didn't mean for that to happen."

Leo turned to leave the room. "I can't believe it; they know each other for less than five minutes, and they're at each other's necks…"

Ethan sighed. "I'm sorry. We should get going."

Reva put the overcoat over her red long sleeve shirt. She then walked by him and out the door.

"Great, this is going to be my hardest mission in my career, huh? And if I mess up, I know I'll lose my job." He rushed out and pursued her.

Skit: Hardest thing I've ever done

Reva: …

Ethan: Um, Miss Fortier…

Reva: …

Ethan: If there's something I can do that'll make this trip more enjoyable, I'll-

Reva: I'll be fine, you don't have to do anything.

Ethan: U-um, are you sure? I want you to be happy during our time together, and-

Reva: Nothing is needed, just make sure I don't die.

Ethan: This is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done…

Reva ran ahead of Ethan. "Hurry up!"

He did his best to follow her. "Wait, where are you going?!"

She stopped. "Isn't it obvious?"

He stopped. "The Daath Bay."

Reva nodded. "You'd best be careful though."

He put a hand on his hip. "What're you tal-" He heard a yell behind him and saw a large man with an axe running towards him. "Ah, that's what you meant." He drew his sword and looked behind him. "Miss Fortier, hide."

Reva sat atop a large rock. "I'd rather observe. I want to know how a rookie like you would handle this."

Ethan face palmed. "You have to be kidding me."

"Behind you."

He looked behind himself and saw the bandit rushing. He ducked underneath the swing and thrusted. He got the bandit in the stomach, but the bandit brought his axe down, cutting Ethan's left arm. He retracted his blade and held his shoulder to stop the bleeding. "This is pitiful…"

The bandit laughed. "Little boy really thought he could beat me. A head is about to roll." He threw his axe, and Ethan rolled out of the way.

He stood and winced. "Great, how am I supposed to protect Miss Fortier like this?"

The bandit retrieved his axe from the ground and ran towards Ethan. "You got lucky boy!" The bandit loomed over him and raised his axe. "Time to die, bud!" Before he brought it down, a small dagger struck him in the back, and he fell forward.

Ethan walked over to the body. "How did that happen?"

Reva walked over and took out the dagger. "I saved you. I didn't want to have my escort die on me."

She put it back on her belt, and continued to walk. Ethan knelt down and took a medical kit out of the satchel he brought. Reva looked back at him, and sighed. She sat down, and waited for him.

Ethan looked at her. "I've planned on going to Sheridan, are you alright with that?" She nodded. Ethan finished wrapping his arm and began packing his things. "I'm sorry for the poor performance."

She got up and began walking again. She looked back at him, and smiled slightly.

Ethan got up and began to follow. "Miss Fortier smiled…"

He rushed after her. "Miss Fortier, you know how to fight?" Reva didn't answer his question. "Um, is it alright if I assume you don't?"

Still no answer. "Listen." Ethan turned from the road to Reva. "My brother wouldn't mind being called 'Mr. Fortier', but I don't like it. Call me Reva."

"Very well, Mi- Reva."

They soon reached the bay, and Ethan was speaking to the captain of the boat in the bay. Reva looked up at the sky. "Finally, I'm out of Daath. The whole world, I can finally see it. And…" She clutched the silver pendant around her neck, and touched the blue stone in the center. "Maybe I'll fine him; the man that killed mom and dad."

"Reva, let's go." Reva ran past him and onto the boat. Ethan walked in after her. He found her outside, leaning over the railing, looking at the sea.

Ethan stood next to her and put a hand on the rail. "We're on our way. We're en route to Sheridan, where my most dangerous mission continues."

Reva Fortier, Leo Fortier and Ethan Dodger where characters created by Blue-Black Flames.