Sorry for keeping you waiting! Actually I was busy with making my cosplay for Japan Expo in Paris, so...

I also wanted to thanks people who added my story to their alert list! You really made me happy! And "ouah!", I didn't expected to have so many hits and visitors! More than 100 in June!

So, so, enough talking, let's begin!

I don't own Tales of Vesperia. And once again, don't blame me if you see grammatical mistakes as English isn't my native language...

03. Broken Seal

"Yummy, look at all those humans! We should make a good feast with them!"

"Stop it! We're enough suspicious like that, so don't add more!"

Two people, dressed with dark clothes, their face hidden under a hood, were making their way through the crowd.

The first one, a tall and large-boarded man, was clearing the way, pushing away people with his two large hands. The second, more frail and skinner, was following him. Possibly a female.

"Oh, there's even a bar there!", said the woman. "This is were humans drink their special sake! You know, the sake they make is different than the one we usually drink... I want to taste it! Hey, hey, can we go there?"

"No. We are not here for fun, you know!" her friend dryly replied with a deep voice. "Our mission is to break the Seal! The host will be there at anytime, so we must be ready! Especially you..."

"Yes, yes, I know!" the woman replied, like a child whose parents had refused to buy candies for.

Around them, people were staring at them with strange looks on their face. "Who are those people?", "What are they talking about?" can be heard here and there...

"Why are they looking at us like that?" the woman muttered. "We're dressed like them, what's the problem?"

"Well... not really..."

Suddenly, both of them stopped. In synchronization, their head slowly followed the silhouette passing next to them. A thin person, wrapped with dark-toned clothes, and a mask covering her face... The two remained silent, until they loose sight of their target, disappearing in the crowd.

"They're here. As expected." the man conclued.

The woman behind sniffled. "Hum... sounds like it's the only one here, though. But with the clothes it's wearing, I can't figure out who is it really."

"We must be careful, then. They'll certainly try to stop us."

"In that case, I'll find a female human host. Yeah, if I possess a human body, that wolf will be limited in its movements."

"Yes, you're right. Let's go then."

"Hum, before that..."

The woman caught her friend's sleeve.

"What again?"

"… do you think we have time to pay a little visit to the bar? I really want to taste human's sake."

"… you drunkard."

Mystery Waterflow was now leaving Estelle's house, holding a box of exemplaries of the princess's new book. A free distribution was organized at the end of the reading session. As she was walking, her dress and cape were floating behind her.

"Miryoku the kitsune, and her partner Kenmei the oni. This is strange, they should have massacred everyone already, and yet..."

She continued on walking, ignoring the strange looks the people were giving to her on her way.

"It's possible they're not here to kill humans, after all. I must be cautious. Huh?"

She suddenly stopped her walk. Around her, humans, animals, flower petals, wind... everything came to a standstill. As if time has stopped. Colors were reversed... She raised her head.

A strange yet powerful feeling that only lasted a few seconds. Then, everything came back to normal.

She seemed to be the only one who noticed it, as people around her was continuing on dancing, drinking and singing carefreely.

"Impossible..." she whispered. "He shouldn't be here! Why didn't I noticed him earlier?"

People heard a "boum!" followed by a "splash!". When they came to see what happened, the only thing they saw was a wooden box submerged in a puddle, with books scattered on the ground...

Estelle turned back to see who just spoke.

A tall and slim young man was standing there, in front of the tree. His dark and long hair were undulating in the wind. Holding his sword with the sheath in his left hand, he was looking at Estelle with his sparkling grey eyes. Then he grinned.

"Yu... Yuri?" Estelle murmured, in desbelief.

"Didn't expected me to be there, huh?"

Estelle lips stretched, forming a large smile.

"Yuri! You... you came!"

"Of course I came! Hey, whoa, hold on a sec-"

Too late. Estelle had already rushed into him and was now hugging him.

"Ho, looks like the boy made it in time!" Raven commented, crossing his arms behind his head.

"Yuri! I'm so glad to see you!"

"Yeah, me too... Now... can you let me? I... can't breathe..."

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Estelle let him go. "But... Karol and the others said you weren't coming..."

"That wasn't true" the Krytian explained.

"We wanted to make you a surprise, Estelle!" Karol said proudly.

"Everyone... Rita too?" Estelle asked.

"Well, I didn't want, but I was forced to."

Judith tilt her head. "Hum... you said that as if we treated you as a slave, but... you were the one who happily suggested the idea of Yuri being busy in Mantaic."

"A job in Mantaic?" Yuri said, nearly laughing. "Come on, you should have found better than this!"

"Shut up. It worked, right? Plus, you're late. So no complaining."

Yuri sighed. "Well, whatever..."

Next to him, Estelle joined her hands and closed her eyes. "Now, we're all together. Like before..."

Yuri put his right hand on his hip. "Yeah. It's been a while we haven't been able to be together like that, right?"

Estelle nodded.

"Now that everybody is here, what do we do?" asked Karol. "I heard there's a candy shop somewhere in the village!"

"Hummm, candies... not my cup of tea" Raven said, starting to walk away from the group. "Me, I need my daily glass of wine... The bar must be near..."

"Old man, if you go wild..." Rita took a few moments before finally saying, "I-don't-know-you. Right?"

"Ouch, sweet Rita, why are you so mean with me?"

"Stop calling me like that!"

Rita continued on shouting on Raven as he was leaving, joining the dancing and singing crowd.

"What is it, Estelle?" asked Yuri, noticing that the princess was watching here and there a little nervously.

"Oh, err... it's nothing... Miss Waterflow was supposed to come, but..."

"Oh right, the free distribution" Judith looked around. "But everyone left..."

"Miss Waterflow? Who is it?"

"My assistant. She came from Aspio to help me with my reading sessions. She went to my house to take the books... but she didn't came back... I hope she isn't in trouble..."

"In that case, we should go look for her" Karol claimed. "Rita, can you come with me? You guys stay here, in the case she comes back."

"Me? Why do I have to look for that weirdo? And with you?"

"A weirdo, huh?" Yuri said sarcasticaly. "She must be like you then."

"What?"

"Ha, come on Rita, we're going!" Karol said, pulling Rita's sleeve and dragging her with him.

"I swear, when I come back, you're gonna pay for that, Yuri Lowell!"

"Aye, aye, genius mage!"

Estelle smiled. It was, for a short moment, like when they were travelling together. Indeed, it has been two months she hadn't seen Yuri. By looking at him, she can feel that he was very pleased with his new life.

Then she remembered that Repede was there too. She kneeled down and attempted to pat Repede, but... the dog abruptely turned his head and moved away from her. As usual. Estelle sighed.

Yuri smiled to her. "Let's... just say it's his own way to greet you, Estelle."

"Why does he hates me?"

Both of them looked at Repede lying lazily on the ground, next to the tree. Yuri is the first to break the silence.

"So? I heard you're no longer an imperial candidate, right?"

"Yes, it's official now. But the Council said I'm still a member of the Royal family..."

"Huh, I see, they won't let you go easily... And what about Commandant Flynn?"

"Oh yes, he's fine. You know, before I leave the castle, he charged me to tell you that you still own him a fight."

"Ah, that one... but it was months ago! He still remember that?"

"What happened?"

"Actually, at that time I was working on a job in Zaphias and I paid him a little visit" Yuri smiled. "And I don't remember why, we ended up arguing at each other. But I was in a hurry, so I left before we settled the thing..."

"Oh, I see..."

The relations between Yuri and Flynn, two childhood friend, had always been ambiguous. They are really different from each other: Yuri, a wild swordman with a rude personnality, acting on his own, against Flynn, a polite knight acting according to the rules. Two opposite personnalities. But they do have elements in common: they are stubborn and don't hesitate to risk their life in order to help the others.

Estelle looked at Yuri.

"And you? Karol said you were really busy..."

"Oh, that... Yeah, I don't know why, I was given all the craziest jobs of this world. Like last time, I was supposed to hunt some monsters for a client because he wanted them as pets..."

"Ah, I remembered that." Judith said, joining in the conversation. "And the upset face you were making when you came back."

"That guy was a real pain. But hey, work is work, if I didn't accepted it would be only trouble for the guild. But the job was well paid. So, no complaining..."

Yuri was interrupted by Repede's growls. The dog was ready to attack.

"Repede?"

"In that case, why didn't you killed him? Humans are so difficult to understand, sometime..."

Yuri, Estelle and Judith frowned. The female voice they just heard was unknown to them.

Just in front of them, coming from nowhere, someone wrapped with dark clothes and the head hidden under a hood, was standing.

"Oh, Miss Waterflow, it's you?" Estelle asked, a little bit relieved.

"Waterflow? Oh... I see, this is how she's called here... How long do they intend to play comedy with humans?"

Estelle and Yuri looked at each other. What was she talking about?

Judith was looking at the newcomer, and strangely she was shaking and sweating. Yuri had never seen the krytian lose her composure like that.

Judith crisped her hand on her spear. "You... weren't supposed to be there!"

"A Krytian? Oho, fun in sight! Hum, actually, we're not here to fight. Hey, young boy there! Take off your clothes! It would be easier for me..."

"Huh? What the hell?"

"Is she talking about Yuri?" Estelle gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.

The stranger approached Yuri.

"Yes you, girly boy. You heard me, right? Take off your clothes."

"Girly boy? She is... pretty straight..." Estelle stammered.

The swordman was staying impassive.

"Sorry, it's not my cup of tea to do a strip-tease show before everyone. Did you drink too much, by any chance?"

"Hum maybe, but it helps me to increase my magical power... Hey, you've got nerves, for a human! I like you. Now, be a good boy and do what I told you."

Judith was regaining her self-control. "Wow Yuri, looks like you have more fans. Perveted fans, this time"

"Looks like it... and when I was thinking about spending a good night without any problems..."

A second person, much bigger than the first one but wearing the same clothes, came out from the dark. "Miryoku, I took care of the princess, thanks to the human girl you were controlling."

"Ooh, Kenmei! And...?"

"I sent a her a wood stick and she ran after that, like a good dog! So, Miryoku, are you ready?"

"Yes!"

The woman stretched her arms and, in a whirl of light, a strange-looking instrument appeared in her hands. An instrument composed of several small bells, with the handle decored with several multicolored ribbons. Without hesitation, her companion immediately rushed toward Yuri.

"No!" Judith interposed herself between the called Kenmei and her friend.

"Don't fight us, Krytian. It's better for you."

Judith smiled to him. "Well, my intuition is just saying that I can't let you lay a finger on my friend."

"Well, you don't give me the choice. Miryoku, I take care of that one. You, do what you have to do."

Even if her face was darkened by the hood she was wearing, a devil smile clearly appeared on the woman's lips.

Repede didn't hesitate. Dagger firmly maintened between his teeth, he jumped on the woman... but a gust of wind stopped him in his rush and sent him against the tree. He fell on the ground, no longer moving.

"Repede! Are you okay?" Yuri shouted, looking at the immobilized dog.

Estelle was shaking, totally confused. Judith was overwhelmed by the man's strength. The woman beat Repede in a blink of eye, without lifting a finger. Who are those people? But there is one thing she is sure about: they are after Yuri. So Yuri is in danger.

Yuri was ready to draw his sword, but she was faster and took her own sword. She stepped before the woman.

"Estelle..."

"I don't know what you want, but I won't let you hurt him!"

The woman sighed.

"Humans... so strange... young one, a princess shouldn't play with a sword, right? Now go back to your castle and play with your dolls! Or... hey, wait a minute..."

"Princess? How do you know that?"

"Now, that's enough!" Yuri was really angry now. He drew his sword and was ready to attack, but... "Estelle?"

The princess was slowly turning to face him. Her eyes was now lifeless, and her face expressionless.

"Estelle, what's wrong?"

Behind Estelle, the woman started to snigger.

"I need time to prepare the spell, and Kenmei is busy with that Krytian. Finally, maybe I can use you, young princess! Ah, controlling woman's soul is sooo easy!"

Yuri was too surprised to react. Everything happened in a flash; his sword slipped out from his hands, and his back was against the tree. The princess pointed her sword on Yuri's neck.

"Estelle... wake up!" She was possessed, no doubt about it. Yuri can see it through her lifeless eyes.

Estelle slashed in diagonal, ripping Yuri's shirt and revealing entirely his chest.

"We kitsune are well-known for our mind control ability" the woman explained, getting closer to Yuri. "Be sure he doesn't escape, candy girl." After she pronounced those words, Estelle dropped her sword and pinned Yuri against the tree's trunk.

"Estelle!" Yuri tried to free himself, but Estelle was too powerful. "Dammit, since when she got so strong?"

"Now, we can begin."

The hooded woman ringed the bell. A surnatural and powered sound came, causing Yuri to shout in pain.

"What... is it? My whole body is hurting... I can't... move..."

Second ring. More pain. It's like something wanted to come out from his body.

"The body is responding to the call." Kenmei joined Miryoku. Judith was lying on the ground, beaten. "It's working. Continue, Miryoku."

The woman Miryoku kept on ringing the bells and started an incantation.

Flowers are spreading, bells are singing.

At each sound produced by the bells, Yuri can feel the pain growing progressively. Wind rushed, shaking the branches of the tree.

May this Tree be the witness of the ceremony.

A flower-patterned tatoo appeared on Yuri's chest, glowing.

"The Seal!" the man exclaimed.

With those Bells forged by the Kingdom of Demons

May the Seal breaks.

An explosion of light spreaded all over the village, blinding everyone. A luminous column raised into the sky...

In Zaphias, Flynn was working peacefully in his office, when a light coming from outside suddenly lightened the room. Was it day already? Flynn turned to look at the window... and saw that strange column of light, piercing through the clouds.

"What... is that?"

Dahngrest, Capua Nor, Capua Torim, Mantaic... people from all the world was looking at that strange column glowing with a worrying light.

Yes, a worrying feeling became to take root on people's mind.

"Can you sense this overwhelming power? The Seal has been broken. Okugi failed."

Chie and Kansei looked at their sister Shinsetsu. Even if their faces were still hidden because of the darkness of the room, they were surprised.

"Those demons got us" Now Kansei was fulminating. He hit the floor with his fist.

"I'm going to check the shrine" said Chie, finally getting up. "Kansei, you stay here and calm down. Don't try anything reckless until Okugi returns."

"But!"

"Kansei, please. Shinsetsu, stay with him. When everyone will be reunited, we will have to think about a plan of emergency."

"Of course."

Back in Halure, the column of light vanished progressively. At the bottom of the tree, only the man and the woman were standing.

"It worked." Then he looked at Yuri, now sitting against the tree, unconscious. "Miryoku, let's take the boy before humans begin to gather here."

The man tried to reach out Yuri, but a wall of water stopped him in his momentum. He leaped backward furiously. Before him, the water soon took the shape of a woman dressed with dark clothes, and the face covered by a mask...

"You... you have came back faster than I thought."

"Ah, so humans here know you as Miss Waterflow, right?"

The masked woman didn't answered to Miryoku's question. "Your goal was to release the Seal. Now leave at once."

"Your forgot one thing: "take the boy too" is also a part of our goal." Kenmei replied.

"Maybe I failed at preventing the Seal from being broken, but I won't let you lay a finger on him."

"Huh! Stinking wolves's pride, right?"

"Stinking wolves? How dare you..."

The ground started to shake and to crack, causing water to gush out from the cracks. Miryoku caught her friend's sleeve.

"Kenmei, let's go! She's really angry, we don't stand a chance against her!"

"Tchh..." Kenmei really wanted to finish the mission, but Miryoku was right. They are Her Majesty's most powerful demons, but... "Don't think this is over, Water Princess. We will come back to retrieve that young human. We need him."

Miryoku and Kenmei disappeared in the dark.

The masked woman calmed herself and took a look around her. Yuri, the dog, the princess and the krytian Judith, everyone was lying on the cracked ground, unconscious. She was particularly looking at Yuri when she heard panicked voices coming from the dark and getting closer. Reacting quickly, her body transformed into water and she disappeared in a "splash!", like when she appeared.

Short chapter, but... rather difficult to write. Actually I wanted to write more, and finally I thought it will be better to keep my ideas for the next chapter.

Hope you enjoyed it!