Is this the end...?
Tanaku, Tsukiro, and Magnolia are clearly unconscious. Asuka is dying. Ryuu lies on the ground as if he is giving up. The Narmer basks in the mud. People watch from a distance. Some are disappointed, others still hope that RAGNAROK can make it. There's a white haired woman in the trees looking down upon the guild. She is very dissatisfied. This is her fault. She must fix it.
Chapter Fifteen : Big Fishy Problems
Ryuu sat in his bed and peered out the window. The sun was rising. He had woken up due to a dream he had. In the dream, he was speaking to the white haired woman and a man that had the same appearance as he did. He felt oddly small in the dream. He had the view of a small child. He was pretty sure it was his brain trying to remind him of something. The two suddenly left and they didn't return.
Ryuu wasn't sure about what scared him. He woke up in cold sweat. He narrowed his eyes at the light the sun was emitting. The curtains that were next to his window turned the reddish light into a deeper shade of scarlet.
That feeling from yesterday was still there. Ryuu wondered how he should spend his time until everyone else rose from their slumber. Should he meditate? Ryuu didn't want to do that. He worried that the dream would invade his mind. He began to move out of his bed. Maybe a walk would help him clear his mind. He stared at his bedside table. His scarf was laying there. He did didn't want to wear it. His mother had made the scarf, and his father was the only one who had worn it. He ignored the temptation to go on without wearing it. He finally got out of his bed.
"Hey there." Ryuu heard a voice. Definitely Luna's. Ryuu looked down between his legs. Luna spawned from under the bed.
"What are you doing here, Luna?"
Luna's eyed Ryuu. She seemed upset. "You didn't seem like you felt well after we left the labyrinth yesterday."
Ryuu glared at her. "You were watching me. I should have known."
"What can I say? You saved me yesterday. I want to return the favor. " Luna stood up.
"How do you expect to do that?"
Luna rubbed her purple scarf. "I can relate to what you are feeling, Ryuunosuke. I feel it very often. The feeling that you are worth nothing... I came to tell you that..." She paused. "You have much more purpose than me."
Ryuu's eyes widened. Luna appeared to be holding back tears. Ryuu wondered what her thoughts were like. He knew that her story was a bit tragic, but she never would reveal it to him. Ryuu didn't want to see Luna cry. So, he asked her a silly question.
"Hey, Luna. Do you want to take a walk with me?"
Luna wiped her eyes. "C-can we get ice cream? Or popsicles..?"
"Of course." Ryuu grabbed his scarf and put on his head.
"Okay." The two left Ryuu's room in their night clothes. It wasn't that bad because their clothes didn't appear to be that different from their usual clothing.
"We managed to lose control of Batavia on Tuesday, father." Rogue walked into Blackbeard's quarters. "There were explorers." There was a moment of silence. The bed in the room moved.
"Those explorers are such a pain." Blackbeard sat up in the bed. "It was that cunning Marin who caused all of this."
"The guild that defeated us... They also carry the name RAGNAROK."
"What?" Blackbeard was disturbed. "That guild gets in the way of everything!"
"Calm down, father. We'll make plans to destroy them and take over Armoroad."
"Who's in charge of that guild anyway?! We need to end them personally. "
"It isn't surprising. Hanami Zeus Zaki's daughter has taken the lead. And the head of the Larouge family was there. That could only mean that Victor's little girl Meru is there too."
Blackbeard had a grin on his face. "If they have taken back Batavia... They are obviously after Ayutthaya next... Get in contact with Brownboots and Setsuna. And have them spy on this new RAGNAROK. Be sure to send Drake to Ayutthaya ,and do not allow him to be detected."
"Yes, father." Rogue bowed before he left. He was on a corsair near Aeaea. He walked over to Hineji.
"Good morning, Rogue!" She saluted him. "What did Blackbeard say?"
"He said that Setsuna and Brownboots need to keep an eye on RAGNAROK. And he has quite the plan for Drake."
"Heh! I can't wait to fight them again! They were so strong!" Hineji smile was broad.
"We aren't fighting them. I can tell what father is planning. If his plan works correctly, there will be no fighting."
"Kay..." Hineji spoke. "Pandora can use that geomagnetic energy spell to transport us to Armoroad, and we'll find Brownboots or Setsuna. I can use my camouflage skills. No one will see us."
"Should we take some citrus fruits for father's scurvy?"
Hineji lit up like a candle. "That idea is wonderful!"
Obi came back into Marin's house through the front door. The room was a bit dark. Obi tiptoed in. She almost made it up the stairs without being noticed. It was all blown when the door opened again. It was a lone person. She had a high ponytail and a red headband. It was Kise.
Kise stood at the doorway for a second before she began to walk around in the dark. Obi dashed up the stairs and skid into another long hallway. There was a couch that Marin was sitting on. She had a candle in her hand and was eating animal crackers with peppermint tea. She glowered at Obi. She went to address Obi about her disappearance, but Obi put her hand over her mouth.
Marin heard the sound of Kise coming up the stairs, and followed her instinct. She shoved Obi inside of a closet. Kise finally made it up when Marin was still standing in front of the closet. Kise seemed shocked.
"Marin, you're up?!" She tried to make herself sound happy. "It's six 'o clock... In the morning..."
Marin nodded and didn't move from in front of the closet. "Yup... And you're at my house..." Marin wore a big smile. She was sweating.
"Yeah, you should really lock your doors..." Kise watched Marin sweat. She also heard a disturbance from the closet. "What's in the closet? " Kise edged toward Marin.
"Uh... Nothing!" Marin blocked the closet.
"Come on! Lemme see! " Kise attempted to pull Marin away from the closet. Marin was only in a nightgown. So, Kise managed to push her out of the way.
"Kise, don't open it." Marin sounded betrayed. Kise faced Marin for two seconds, but opened the door anyway. Obi fell out ,but she was wearing a maid outfit that Marin had seen at the dress shop. Kise cringed.
"Ah, I am sorry. For I am Marin's new maid. Uh... Sushi-chan!" Obi pretended sound young and girly. Marin almost facepalmed. Sushi-chan? Kise was gullible, but not that gullible.
"Sushi-chan? Like fish..? That's weird." She turned back to Marin. "How long have you been hiding this?"
Marin laughed. "Not long... Lady Elizabeth brought her here. Elizabeth is staying here for a while... And Sushi is just a sobriquet... I hid her because she makes it look like I a thing for maids..."
Kise nodded. "Oh... Sorry. I guess I can leave. Sushi-chan is probably going to make breakfast." Kise jogged back down the stairs. They made sure they heard the door slam shut. Marin even checked to see if Kise was gone. They saw Kise walking down a path. Marin took Obi back upstairs and stood next to the couch.
"You idiot, Obi! No one is supposed to know about you being here!" She dug her hand into the bag of animal crackers and ate the handful. "And of all the the fake names you could have chosen, you chose the one that means fish!"
"Sorry, Marin." She sighed. "I left because of my son..."
Marin stopped admonishing her. Her eyes softened. "You spoke to him?"
"I saved him. He hasn't really changed much. He did grow a lot, but then again, I haven't seen him for ten years..."
Marin picked up her tea cup. She took a sip. "According to my hypothesis, Ryuunosuke should be fighting the stratum boss this afternoon. I'm going to observe his battle. You can come you if like to. He is your son." Obi gave her a stare. Marin knew that she wanted to come to the battle. "Anyway, Sushi-chan... Make me breakfast."
Obi's frown was so large it almost leaked from her face. "Okay, Marin." She went down the stairs and headed to the right.
"Sushi! The kitchen is to the left!"
"Shut up!"
"So, Luna... Aren't children forced to be polite in you home country?" Ryuu had a cone of ice cream and Luna had a popsicle dangling from her mouth.
"Yes, they are. I do not have to. I'll get married one way or another. In my family, the last name Kakasei is carried on no matter what. If there are only females born, their spouses will have to change their last names."
"Oh." Ryuu concentrated on his ice cream. It was vanilla with chocolate shreds sprinkled at the top. There was one piece that was slowly falling due to the melting ice cream. "Luna, why did you say that?"
"Whut?" She pulled her popsicle away from her mouth. "Oh, that..." She bit off a part of the flavored ice. "You seem to be the last male of your family. You have to get married, Ryuu. I am the youngest Kakasei at the moment. I don't need to get married, and the only reason I am still living is because my family wants to spread their pride." She licked the popsicle. "I have two older sisters. One defeated a titan, the other accepted an important mission that the world depends on. And me... I'm just here because I want to become just as great as them. My grandma forced me to."
Ryuu gave Luna a skeptical stare. "You have another reason." Luna gazed at him with a confused expression. "In the four years you've known us... Haven't you grown a bit attached to us?"
Luna covered her face. "Maybe a little..."
"A little?" Ryuu questioned. "Then why are you telling me this much about yourself?"
Luna remained silent. She suddenly punched Ryuu's arm. "You're a good friend. The best one I've seen actually." They both began to laugh at nothing. Luna stopped. "Ryuu, I know what happened to your parents and all, but you have to realize that you aren't alone anymore." Ryuu looked down at his ice cream. He had lost his appetite. He peered at Luna with his green eye.
"I understand... I guess." He handed his ice cream to Luna. "I didn't lick it. I don't want it anymore."
Luna took it faster than she could blink. "Your loss." She bit off the rest of the popsicle and began to feast on the other frozen treat. Ryuu watched with an overly satisfied expression. Luna closed her eyes. "Hey, Ryuu... Are you worried about that fish you're supposed to kill today?"
"What is there to worry about?" Ryuu turned to his side and paused. The sun was almost done rising. Luna stopped beside him. "Didn't guild Satan kill it without a Monk?"
"Yes, but they were on extremely high levels. They were level thirty six. And Desiderata is strong enough to fight on the front lines. Their princess, Lily, also had Protect Order maxed out. And their shinobi poisoned the beast."
"Didn't Gears manage to defeat it with only Kogageru?"
"They did. Kogageru summoned high level creatures to his aid, and won the rare item from the beast. The Trembling Fin. It makes the second most powerful war hammer in the land. Yagrush is its name. They were the first guild to achieve that feat."
"Oh..." They fell silent and examined the sun while it was rising. The light exposed the fish in the ocean. "This city is beautiful, don't you think?"
The waves created an ocean breeze. "Yeah..." Luna finished eating the waffle cone. "I wonder if anyone is watching the same sun rise..."
Ryuu and Luna absorbed their surroundings. "You feel better now, Luna?"
"Much better." Luna grabbed Ryuu's hand. "Let's go back to the inn. You need to rest before your fight."
"It's quarter to seven. I doubt I can sleep for fifteen minutes." Ryuu saw a bench in the area, and sat in it. Luna followed him. Ryuu thought that it was odd that she stopped talking. He looked at her. She was sleep. Did he just make girls do that? He shrugged, but then proceeded to smile.
Hanasaku slid out of her bed like butter. She didn't like having fevers. She was already a sweaty person to begin with. Her sheets were soaked. She frowned. That was all because of Hana. She tugged the sheets off her bed and hung them out of the window.
That day was the day that RAGNAROK would have to defeat the Narmer. She was uneasy because Luna had told her that Ryuu didn't look well. She took a shower ,and changed her clothes.
She headed to Ryuu's room. She didn't want him to fight if he wasn't feeling good. She would make Aoimi go in his stead. Aoimi only provoked Hana, and that wasn't exactly a bad trait. She was strolling through the hallway and saw Niwa the sheep out and about. Niku needed to take better care of that ewe. She reached out for Niwa, and Niwa bit her hand. Hanasaku pulled it back with a frustrated expression.
"You stupid sheep!" She exclaimed quietly. Niwa baaed and ran away. It was like she understood Hanasaku. Hanasaku was so upset that she figured that Ryuu could wait. "Get back here!" She chased the white sheep down the halls.
As she was running, she saw that she had recovered from her illness. She quietly praised herself. She glowered back at where Niwa should have been, but she was gone. The sheep could have only turned around a corner. She peaked around it. She heard Niwa baaing with delight. She walked into that hall to see Kogageru with Niwa in his arms. Gears was behind him.
Ezra noticed Hanasaku. "Hanasaku?" He seemed baffled about her arrival. "Are you after this sheep?"
She began to perspire. She was avoiding that guild entirely, but they had Niwa. She immediately went to lie, but Niwa began baaing at her and Kogageru. "It's not my sheep." She told a half-truth.
"That isn't what Ezra asked." Isis replied.
"I'm not after that sheep." She turned red.
"The sheep isn't saying that." Himi and Kogageru spoke in unison.
"I'm not after it anymore." She was still red. She turned back, but banged into Zero and Mei Ling.
"Why are you lying to me?" Ezra's voice wasn't like it usually was. It was pained. Hanasaku's expression darkened. She did not respond. "Hanasaku, I thought that we were allies. Is that not the case?" The rest of Gears was dead quiet.
Hanasaku grimaced. "I don't see why you care so much, Ezra. Is it because of Hana and Ryuu? You were following those two from the start, you creep." She spat those words out with hatred she had never shown before. "My teacher is here because she is worried... She worries that someone is out to kill our guild. She's an oracle actually. She had a dream about it. I touched her, and saw what she was dreaming. I left and heard what she was talking about... I know that someone is after us... You spoke to Hana and Ryuu when they first arrived, and the rest of your guild spoke to the people remaining in our guild. And suddenly, you become our allies. And I've come to notice that your guild tends to watch ours. Then I heard about Blue Sky..."
"You think that we're out to kill you?" Ezra was more than offended. His voice was even brittle. "I would never even..."
"Then why are you so concerned about us!?" Hanasaku yelled. "Why would a famous guild reach its hands out to a random group of kids!?"
"To help them, you idiot!" Zero couldn't hold her anger back anymore. "Your guild has guild members that are younger than most!"
"Did you do that to Machaera!?" Hanasaku retaliated.
"No, they are led by Yugaina's mother!" Zero bellowed.
"Stop, Zero." Ezra spoke with a soft voice. "We have no business here." Ezra began to walk away.
"You didn't answer my question!" Hanasaku boiled over with wrath.
"I doubt that you would understand." Ezra continued walking and did not face Hanasaku.
Zero and Mei Ling lagged behind. Zero even seemed sad as she walked away.
Hanasaku's eyes moved to where they were once standing. Hana was there with Aoimi, Inki and Haruka. Everyone seemed shocked ,but Hana seemed devastated. They had all just seen an explosive side of Hanasaku. Hanasaku reached out for Hana's shoulder, but Hana slapped her hand.
"Don't touch me." Hana looked very ashamed. She backed away and went back to her room. Aoimi and Inki trailed after her.
Haruka gave her a beady stare, and patted her head. "Hanasaku, I know that you're worried, but Gears has feelings too." Haruka wondered how Hanasaku saw her dream. "There is nothing that you can do about this matter. And that attempt has shown me that you don't seem like a worthy leader for RAGNAROK."
Hanasaku's eyes lost all life within them. "Sensei, you can't do that! This entire thing was my idea!"
"Maybe you should have thought of that..." Haruka said. "Hana is now the official leader of RAGNAROK."
Hanasaku whimpered. She walked away. She was defeated. Niwa tried to cuddle her leg, but Hanasaku shook her off. Isis watched from around the corner.
"Now, she gets a taste of her medicine..." Isi laughed.
Ryuu came back to the lobby of the inn at seven fifteen. Luna was resting on his back. Most of the guild was waiting for him to return. Aoimi, Hana ,and Hanasaku were nowhere to be seen.
"You're such a lady-killer, Ryuu." Tanaku walked over to him. "Who are you going to choose to fight the Narmer?"
Ryuu adjusted Luna. She was mumbling in her sleep, and it wasn't in English. Ryuu made an unsure face. "We need an elemental offense, but Hana can't come. I'm not sure if Hanasaku fully recovered either. So I guess you would make a good asset, Tanaku." He glared at Tsukiro. "Dove's not here... So, I have to pick you, Tsukiro." Tsukiro began to smile after that. Ryuu uttered a few other things. "I need either a supporting class or an offense supporting class..."
Bare shouted out. "Pick me! I'm an offense supporting class!"
Tanaku snapped her fingers. "Aha! There's only one Narmer. Two offense roles would be more than enough, Ryuu." Bare flipped Tanaku off. Tanaku ignored Bare's finger.
"So, we would need a Sovereign or a Shogun." Ryuu peered at Meru, Inki , and Magnolia. "A Shogun would be nice since they have both support skills and offense support skills, but those skills tend to sacrifice other valuable things..." He gawked at Meru and picked Magnolia.
"Who's going to have the last role? If I see your plan correctly, you should choose a defensive role." Tsukiro straitened his glasses. Ryuu nodded. Asuka stood up and trotted to Ryuu's side.
"I'm going to take Luna to her room. I'll be back." Ryuu stated.
"Okay then. We're going to get prepared at the Napier's Firm." Tsukiro took the lead.
They walked out the Aman's Inn and headed to the Napier's Firm. The Shopkeeper, Edie, was waiting for them. Tsukiro approached her.
"Oh, RAGNAROK. I heard you were going up against the Narmer today." She reminded everyone of a fox.
"Yes, we are. We want the best mace you have." Tsukiro replied.
"The best mace?" She asked. "That would be the Yagrush. That is worth two hundred fifty seven thousand en."
"Not the Yagrush. You know what he meant." Tanaku rolled her eyes.
"That would be the Spiked Club."
"Aoimi already has that." Tanaku whispered. "Use hers."
"No, she licked it." Tsukiro turned to face Tanaku. "Do you still have some of that birthday money?"
"No..." She gestured to her crossbow. It was brand new.
"Did your parents give you anymore money?"
Tanaku pouted as she pulled out a large sack of money. "It has five thousand en."
Tsukiro smirked when he took the bag and distributed some of the en in it with Edie. He took his new club. Tanaku made a weird noise with the back of her throat and tried to take her money back, but Tsukiro slapped her hands away.
"I would also like for it to be forged. Make sure it's in both slots." He passed it to Edie. Her smile was comparable to the Cheshire Cat's. She came back with it after a minute or two.
"I really need a new blacksmith." She said to herself. "Even if I hired one, I'd have to pay them."
Tsukiro's mood brightened. "Ryuu's good at crafting swords and such. You can hire him, and he'll be so satisfied... You won't need to pay him." Tanaku groaned very loudly after that.
"Ryuu? As in that boy that stays around that annoying little girl?"
"Yes."
"That will do. He will attract more guilds here. Especially the ladies..." Her smirk faded. "Just make sure he doesn't bring that brat with him."
"Okay." Tsukiro complied. The fraction of RAGNAROK walked out of the Napier's Firm. Tanaku began to strangle Tsukiro.
"Are you trying to promote her?! You used all of my money!"
Tsukiro had a weird expression on his face. "She reminds me of my missing father."
Tanaku took a long breath. "Fine. Your father must have been terrible."
"He was a horrific salesman. He's very famous for it." Tanaku actually saw emotions in Tsukiro's eyes.
"Did I hurt your feelings?" Tanaku asked.
"No, I think I hurt my feelings..." Tsukiro sighed. They waited for Ryuu to approach them. He was apparently taking his time. After that, they traveled to the labyrinth.
The journey to the Narmer was a mediocre one. They didn't run into the evil Largebill Ernesto. They found treasure on the third floor. They got along pretty well. They made it to the fourth floor's campsite at nine thirty seven. They also proceeded to rest there. Magnolia didn't sleep because Tanaku snored the entire time they were there. She claimed that it was very "inelegant". It was one in the afternoon when they moved on to face the Narmer. They had to face one more random encounter before they entered the fish's lair. There was a demon fish and a purple snake. Everyone took their battle stances. Everyone except for Asuka. She scrambled behind Ryuu.
"Asuka, what are you doing?" Tanaku's nose scrunched up.
"It's a s-snake!" She screeched. "I hate those things!"
"But how are you going to defend us?" Ryuu sounded like he was making fun of her.
"You guys are on your own!" She jumped into the bushes.
"She must be afraid due to childhood trauma. Dove's family can control snakes. I guess Asuka remembers why my mother went crazy and killed mostly everyone." Tsukiro pointed to the purple fish. "Kill the demon fish first."
Magnolia and Ryuu charged at the fish and had it dead by the first turn's end. Tanaku hit the purple snake with a shot from her crossbow, and it slithered toward her. She shivered for a second and and realized that it was around her neck she threw it off. It left a red mark on her neck.
"Why did that bind my arms? Shouldn't it have bound my head?"
"The labyrinth's too brutal for that." Magnolia grazed the reptile's scaly skin with her sword.
"No... Snakes are too brutal for that!" Asuka peeked from the bushes.
Ryuu finished of the snake with with a slash to its head. "No, not really."
Asuka stepped out of the bushes. "I'll say that when you're put up against your fear, idiot."
They walked toward the door in complete silence. They knew that the catfish known as the Narmer would be in the next room. Asuka opened the door. They filed into the room one by one. It was a unmistakable sight. In the center of the room, there was a large catfish sitting lazily in the mud.
Hypatia was suddenly at their side. She gave them a few words of advice that Tsukiro could have figured out within seconds. They were glad with it anyway. Hypatia wished them luck and they began to head for the fish. The fish grew startled and ran away from them.
"Use the these passages to our advantage." Tsukiro stated. They separated and checked all of the passages. Most of them connected, but the one that was detached from the others contained a treasure chest. Tanaku was the one who had found it. Inside was an Amrita. Tanaku presented it with a big smile on her face. Tsukiro snatched it from her straight after. That was only to be expected.
They chased the Narmer around for five minutes before they encountered it. They had the advantage because they attacked from behind.
"Ryuu, use Break. Tanaku, conserve your energy. Asuka... I'd say attack for this turn, and Magnolia, do what you feel is best for the moment." Tsukiro commanded.
"Tsukiro , that's the nicest you've ever been to a girl." Tanaku chuckled.
"That isn't what you should be worried about."
Magnolia stared at the ground with a puzzled face. "If it moves in the mud, the mud will go everywhere... And probably get into our eyes." Magnolia chanted something ,and a yellow wall appeared between the front line and the enemy.
"Whoa... What's that?" Tanaku glittered at the sight.
"It's a spell called 'Prevent Order'. It's going to prevent any ailment from hurting us." Magnolia flipped one of her ringlets. "It's very elegant."
Ryuu and Asuka hit the the giant catfish and it flinched some. Magnolia used Protect Order, Tsukiro protected himself, Tanaku shot a dozen arrows into the sky, Ryuu used Break, and Asuka guarded the front line from major damage. The fish attempted to blind them by slashing mud at them, but Magnolia's spell prevented it and Asuka lessened the damage the beast dealt.
Tsukiro healed the first line, and Magnolia put up another prevention spell. Asuka shoved her lance into the Narmer's right eye and it smacked her with its fin. She flew into the labyrinth wall and slid down it. Ryuu was a little bored with the fight since he had to keep using Break. Tanaku used Volt Barrage, and shortly after her arrows rained from the sky.
The fish splashed more mud at the front line, but once again the yellow barrier blocked most of it. Asuka decided to defend that turn because she felt weakened. Tanaku proceeded to use her voltage arrows again. Ryuu yawned before he used Break again. Magnolia used a Guard Order because she had nothing better to use.
"Tanaku, make sure you save some of your voltage arrows for later." Tsukiro spoke to the blonde.
"I will, I will. Just stop rubbing it in."
Tsukiro healed the front line again, and the Narmer used its fins to make mud splash everywhere. And just like Magnolia predicted, it went straight into their eyes.
"Great. I'm blind in both of my eyes now." Ryuu held his left eye. He realized that couldn't he see auras and souls with his right eye. He moved his bang from in front of his left eye and slowly opened his eye. "Good enough." He said quietly.
"Hey, aren't you blind in that eye, Ryuu?" Tsukiro asked.
"How would you know? I've only told Hana, Hanasaku, and Meru about that."
"You didn't tell Luna either and she knew." Ryuu cringed at Tsukiro's response. Those two weirdos were most likely watching Ryuu when he told Meru.
Magnolia used another enchantment ,but this time she used it on Tanaku's crossbow. "Your crossbow can use voltage now."
"Sweet!" Tanaku shot an arrow at it and was surprised to see how much damage it did. "It works!"
Ryuu could still manage to hit the Narmer because of his left eye. Magnolia used her protection spell again. Asuka shrugged off her blindness, and Tsukiro refreshed the front line. The fish seemed annoyed and whacked Tsukiro in his face.
Magnolia used the voltage enchantment on Ryuu's sword next, and Ryuu did not use Break for once. He sighed with relief. He attacked it and it flailed around until it smacked Ryuu and Tanaku with its fins. Ryuu fell into a patch of mud so he was fine. Tanaku shot at the fiend again and it made a terribly loud screeching noise. Asuka saw that and stabbed it in its stomach area and that seemed to be its weak point. It cried out once again. Tsukiro healed everyone in the party.
"We're near the halfway point everyone!" Tsukiro had a big smile on his face.
The fish slashed more mud at the party and the front line dodged it. It naturally landed on Tanaku and Tsukiro. Tanaku shouted something related to how hard it would be to remove that from her light color hair. Magnolia used another spell, but this one seemed to be for offense purposes. She touched Tanaku's weapon and it began to glow. A beam of light hit the Narmer and it trembled. Tsukiro healed Tanaku and himself.
"We've made it to the halfway point!" Magnolia pointed to the beast, and it was bleeding out. It ran away from RAGNAROK again. "My, why was I so elated that I decided to rudely point at it? I scared it off..."
"That's not what scared it, Magnolia..." Ryuu sheathed his long sword. "That thing is dying..."
"Oh... I did do that? How inelegant of me!" She covered her cheeks. "How will father react when I tell him I have been destroying animals for the sake of it?"
"Don't tell 'em." Tanaku reclined on her crossbow. Ryuu frowned at her. That was probably why her parents didn't freak out when she went to become an adventurer. Tanaku didn't tell them that she would be killing monsters.
"That thing's going to regenerate anyway. The Yggdrasil revives them. That's what the other guilds think."
"How do you know?" Tanaku spoke up.
"I was once in guild Machaera. But... I had to go back home... They've probably forgotten about me."
Tanaku looked to her side. Tsukiro wasn't joining in the conversation. "Hey, loser. Why aren't you saying anything?"
Tsukiro pointed to the north. There were insects at every corner. And the Narmer had crept to the opposite side of the room.
"Tsukiro, it is very inelegant to point."
"Magnolia!" The other three shouted.
"Should we go to the campsite ,and fight these bugs when we return?" Asuka muttered.
"No. The Narmer recovers health for each turn we leave it here. We have enough energy to finish it right now."
"Yeah. I have a lot of energy left because Magnolia's skills!" Tanaku praised the purple haired girl.
"Magnolia, do you have enough energy?"
"I have plenty."
"Good." Tsukiro took the jar of Amrita and drank its contents. "I didn't have much energy left. You guys are quite the handful..."
Tsukiro lead the group back into the crevice that they had attacked the fish from. The Narmer had itself planted at the northwest corner. They rushed down the path to the fish and won the preemptive attack. Magnolia used Guard Order, Ryuu charged, Asuka stabbed the Narmer in its head, Tanaku used her volt arrows ,and Tsukiro defended himself.
The fish suddenly whacked Asuka,and Magnolia with its tail several times. Asuka parried one of its attacks with her lance. Ryuu used Break again ,but his attack was much higher that time because he charged. Tanaku attacked after Magnolia enchanted her crossbow. Tsukiro remained idle. The fish seemed frightened and hid within the mud.
"What the...?" Tanaku stared at the patch of mud. "Where'd it go?"
"This is why I told you to save your energy, Tanaku." Tsukiro straightened his glasses again. "If you want to find that thing, use Volt Barrage."
Tanaku followed the black haired Monk's orders. She used her crossbow to shoot out a flurry of arrows and the fish rose out of the wet soil. It managed to get more mud on everyone's clothes. Ryuu charged and Magnolia used that offense spell, Regal Radiance. Asuka managed hit the Narmer's back. The Narmer hid in the mud again, and Tanaku exposed it with her arrows. Magnolia used the Volt Arms spell on Ryuu's sword. And Ryuu was even shocked to see how high his attack was on the beast. It cowered and jumped back into the mud.
"Hey, Ryuu." Tanaku spoke as she shot an army of arrows at the ground. "Do you think I'm better than Hana now?"
"No." Ryuu was honest. "You're ridiculous."
"Ridiculously smarter that Hana Venus Zaki!" Tanaku bragged. "I can do anything she can do, but I do it better!"
Ryuu concentrated for his next attack while he listened to Tanaku boast. Magnolia used Attack Order, and Asuka hit the Narmer. The Narmer hit Tanaku while she was still bragging ,and Ryuu couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Ryuu, look out!" Asuka shouted.
"What?" Ryuu stopped laughing , and the Narmer hit him so hard that he bounced off the ground and hit one of the insects. And the insect died.
"Ouch..." Asuka narrowed her eyes. "You okay, Ryuu?!" Ryuu was lying down on top of the bug. He gave Asuka a thumbs up. "Idiot." She giggled.
"And another girl stacks herself on top of Ryuu's everlasting harem!" Tanaku shouted.
"What? No... He's younger than I am."
"Ryuu's younger than most of the guild. His birthday's on New Year's Eve."
Tsukiro restored everyone's health. Ryuu got back up. The Narmer dug back in the mud. Tanaku sighed and shot at it again. It seemed to be just as frustrated as she was. Ryuu dashed back to his allies,and hit the Narmer. Magnolia put the voltage spell on Ryuu's sword and Asuka hit the Narmer right below its eye.
Tanaku expected the Narmer to go back into the mud again, but it didn't. So, she accidentally wasted some of her volt arrows and her energy. Tsukiro gave her a glare of disapproval. Magnolia used Protect Order, And Ryuu hit the Narmer with his sword. Asuka did her usual thing. She hit it. She seemed to be just as bored as Ryuu.
"We're almost done here." Tsukiro uttered.
"Cool!" Tanaku reloaded her crossbow. The Narmer retreated to the mud."Not this again!" Tanaku shot more arrows at the ground.
The Narmer leaped out of the ground. Magnolia hit the fiend at the same time as Asuka, and Tsukiro shrugged. Ryuu slashed at the fish. The catfish buried itself deep within the mud. Everyone groaned, and waited for Tanaku to do something. But she didn't. She was making a nervous noise.
"I'm out of TP." She was quiet.
"And you claim that you're better than Hana!?" Ryuu yelled. "She would never do this!" He didn't sound angry. He sounded crazed and he was obviously taunting her.
"Hit the mud until you find it!" Tsukiro dictated. RAGNAROK attacked the mud frantically. They felt the earth move.
"It's moving under there?" Magnolia asked.
"Yes, and if we don't get out in time, it will cause a landslide!" Tsukiro slammed his mace on the floor. Nothing rose from the ground. They attempted to spot the fish, but it moved around as they hit the mud. That's when the ground really began to shake. Everyone braced themselves for damage. And within a mere minute, the tide of the battle changed.
"It's a shame... I thought that RAGNAROK would be much stronger than this." Marin and Obi watched from a tree. "I bet you that we aren't the only ones observing this fight." She pointed to the door. Some more RAGNAROK and Murotsumi watched from there. Next to the door that lead down to the second stratum, Gears studied the fight next to Brawn and Fang. "I can tell that Kise's here too." Marin peered back at Obi.
"This is my fault." She spoke to herself. "He'll end up dead. Like his father." Obi seemed to be sorrowful.
"It is your fault." Marin nodded. "So, go do something!" She pushed Obi out of the tree. Obi fell on her face, and quickly get up and wiped the dust off her maid outfit. She punched the tree and it fell over, but Marin hopped to another tree already. Obi cleared her throat loudly.
Ryuu heard that sound and slowly rose. He used his sword to help him up. Obi was impressed that he had the energy to stand. She guessed that it was because he had used a limit skill when they were trying to find the Narmer. Indomitable to be exact. Ryuu didn't turn back to face Obi. He seemed to be recovering by himself.
"Oh, he has Avenger?" Marin climbed down the tree, and stood next to Obi. "That means he should have full health by now." Marin was smiling.
"I saved him by clearing my throat?" Obi was irritated.
"That's not why he got back up..." Marin climbed up the tree like she was a feline.
...
'Maybe. I should should just give up...' Ryuu thought as he lied on the labyrinth floor. He was out of energy anyway. What difference would it make if he fought? He felt his consciousness slipping away. He guessed that RAGNAROK wasn't going to win the fight. He felt a light tap on his shoulder. Asuka was still conscious.
"Ryuu..." She was still awake, but she wasn't fit for battle. "I know you're still up. Why aren't you trying to kill that thing?" Asuka was pale. Ryuu didn't reply. "You're still upset about that dream you had?"
"How do you know about that?"
"I came to check on you before... Luna did... And you were sleeping... You talk when you're sleep, and that gave me a vivid explanation of you dream..." She coughed up blood. "About how your parents left you..."
Ryuu dazed out. Is that why he was so scared? How did Asuka even know it was about his parents?
"My father, the one who adopted me, he was part of the guard corps. He was the guard who went with your mother and father. Your father he kept on fighting... Until he died..."
Ryuu began to tremble. His father died fighting. If he was going to die, should he do it in the way of his father?
"The last things your father did were take off his scarf and say 'Give this scarf to Ryuunosuke'..." Asuka closed her eyes. She was dead.
Ryuu held his scarf and rose from the ground. Asuka was dead. She could not be revived. Dove wasn't there. Asuka had died thinking about Ryuu. She had done the same exact thing as Ryuu's father. Ryuu looked at his knocked out allies. If he failed, they were going to die. Ryuunosuke wasn't going to let anyone else die.
Ryuu felt himself slowly recovering. He was going to kill that thing. He charged for it and managed to graze the skin of the beast. It tried to hit him, but he dodged it with agility he had never had before. He stabbed it in its right eye, and it splashed mud into his left eye. He opened his right eye. He saw it's soul. He hit it in its stomach. It attempted to hit him with its fins twice ,but he skid to his side. It began to wallow in the mud. Ryuu detected it and slashed at the spot. It slithered out of the mud.
Ryuu slashed it once more. The Narmer screamed and hit him with its fins. Ryuu felt the wound with his hands, but could not feel the pain in his body. He raced toward it and stabbed it in the back with his sword. The Narmer moved into the mud again. Ryuu wasn't going to die. He wouldn't let himself. He looked behind himself and saw the white haired woman smile at him...
If she was in that dream was about his parents... Wouldn't that mean... No, Ryuu's mother died next to his father, right?
Ryuunosuke couldn't let himself lose. He picked up Tsukiro's mace. He didn't attempt to find the Narmer. He had an idea. The Narmer used Earthquake again, but Ryuu was still standing. He couldn't describe the powerful feeling. The Narmer still had Ryuu's sword lodged into its back. Ryuu tightened his grip on the club and charged. The Narmer sensed that and struck him twice. That didn't stop him. He smashed the end of his sword with all of his might. And that caused the sword to go through the Narmer's back and pierce through its stomach. It let out one last cry as it fell to the ground...
Ryuu went to fall on the ground, but Aoimi caught him. "You were amazing, Ryuu! I could never do what you did!"
Hypatia nodded. "You were all amazing! Each and every one of you! You bested the Narmer."
"Now we can go to the second stratum!" Agata shouted louder than ever. "Thanks!" The Murotsumi guild used an Ariadne Thread shortly after.
Hana was standing next to Luna. Luna was wearing a really big grin for once. And Hana was oddly quiet.
"Good job ,Ryuu. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Ryuu muttered. "I guess I got a little carried away..."
"What you did was completely okay, Ryuu. You don't know carried away until you've seen my grandmother fight." Luna had an ice cream sandwich in her hands.
"Asuka's really gone now, huh?" Hana peered at the girl. Asuka wore a smile on her face. "She wasn't much older than us..."
Aoimi picked her up. "I heard of a magical beam that was in the second stratum. We can teleport home if we use that." Ryuu carried the others.
They began to head for the door and avoid the insects around the room. Ryuu stared back at where Obi used to be... She was gone.
They opened the door that led down to the second stratum, and there was no not a person in the room. The other guilds they did not know about had left.
"You have the honor, Ryuu." Hana showed Ryuu the stairs. "You go first."
Ryuu walked down the stairs first, and saw an magnificent sight. The entire stratum was engulfed in breathable water. Ryuu took a his first steps. He was about to turn the corner, but a familiar man stopped him. Kujura mentioned something about them defeating the Narmer, and said that they string enough.
"Before you continue you should get rid of any frivolous thoughts that you are going to finish this stratum. " He spoke with Ryuu.
"If we think we're going to die, won't that be the result?" Hana and Aoimi spoke in unison. Ryuu didn't notice them there.
Kujura stared at the girls, and proceeded to ignore them. "I have one last piece of advice." He pointed to the north. "You see that pillar of light over there? That is a sub-magnetic pole. It has the ability to teleport one to the town and back to the labyrinth. It's origins are unknown. Perhaps, it is a fragment of the Deep City's technology."
"It's a geomagnetic pole." Ryuu scowled.
"It thought that it was called magic pink pillar of light!" Aoimi ran toward it.
"It's not green, you can't name it!" Hana yelled. "Be careful for goodness sake!"
"Shut up, Ryuu." Tanaku was dangling from Ryuu's shoulder. Tanaku woke up.
"Oh, Tanaku's not dead." Luna snapped her fingers. "And we were so close."
RAGNAROK walked away from the man. He sighed. Kise appeared next to him.
"I think that Ryuu is pretty cute." She spoke.
"What did you just say?"
"Nothin'."
RAGNAROK made it to the pole, and heard a rustle in the coral. They pulled out their weapons. They would finally get to fight in the new stratum.
"Guess who's back from the slammer!" Another black haired Monk jumped out at them. They were all slightly disappointed.
"Dove?!" Aoimi dashed toward the short Monk. She froze. "If you were wanted for two million en, they wouldn't release you in two days." Aoimi backed away.
"Shhh~... Don't mention it..." Dove covered her mouth.
"Since you're back." Aoimi dropped Asuka on the ground. "Resurrect Asuka."
"Oh, okay." Dove knelled down and transfered her qi to her. Asuka gasped and sat up.
"You killed it?!" She was suddenly standing and shaking Ryuu.
"Yeah..." Ryuu shoved her away. "I'm about ready to leave now." They all touched the geomagnetic pole. They vanished with a bright flash.
I stayed up until four typing this. But... Did I scare you? You know, the beginning part and no reassuring author's note... Or character profile... speaking of which, here's the profile.
Name: Luna Kakasei
Blood type: A+ (A positive. )
Birthday: Aries 13th
Hair color: brown
Eye color: Vibrant green
Hometown: New Shanghai (New Shanghai is a city located in the the Eastern Continent. Luna's family is legendary there.)
Notes: Luna is a bland girl on the outside ,but she really has a wall of feelings beneath. She had to come Armoroad to get rid of the shame her sister, Mira, had caused. Luna constantly worries that she'll be stuck in her sisters' shadows. She is sensitive around boys and feels like she should treat them with more respect than girls. Luna enjoys painting traditional scenery because it reminds her of her home. She has a thing for iced teats too. Luna feels like men have more purpose than women do for an unknown reason. Even her family supports girls, but she doesn't.
Height: 5'8" She is the 2nd tallest female in the Kakasei family. (The Kakaseis are usually short. )
Pros: She is highly talented with her fist, katanas, and knives. She is serene , and she is kinder to royalty and men.
Cons: She's blunt as heck, she's rude to everyone, but she tends to be the worst around other females. She's very prideful about her family, and if you insult them she'll harm you.
Hobbies: Painting eastern scnerey ,eating iced treats, and taunting others.
More songs that fit the characters.
Hana: Danzai no Hana. (If you look the comment section of the video, I think you'll find a translation.)
Word of the chapter
Again. (The word of the chapter is the word that I feel I used the most in the chapter.)
Next Time : Will Ezra finally tell Hanasaku why he's technically stalking them? Will the Kakaseis clash with the Zakis? Will Hanasaki show up in Armoroad? Find out next time in Chapter Sixteen: Bittersweet!