Chapter 4
?'s POV:
Elder said to head to Ruben village because she sensed a disturbance with their elshard but from here it seems to be fine... at least now anyways. I stare at the tree of el from the tree branch I was perched on when I hear two people conversing and heading my way. "Damn that brat! He ruined our plans. And we lost the elshard!" Elshard? Maybe this is what the elder was talking about. I stealthily climbed down the tree I was on and hid behind a bush alongside the road and waited for the people to get closer. "Well technically, we didn't quite fail...at least we got someone to chase us." "No, the goal was to get the whole troop to chase us and the phony elshard so that boss Banthus can take the real one from the tree with no foul ups! What do you think will happen when that brat makes it back to the village huh?" Yelled the shorter man to the tall man. "Well I guess he'd tell the village and the el troop would be on the tree of el like ants at a picnic" said the tall man. "Yeah, thus ruining the entire plan of Banthus stealing the real elshard without interruptions" reiterated the short man.
Damn it...if they go thru with that plan, this world will go more out of wack. "Well... I'm pretty sure boss won't be too mad." The tall man said again. "Well let's head back to the tree and get the hell outta here" grumbled the short man as they walked past my hiding place. I'd better follow them and see if I can foil their plans...oooh, I hope I handle this by myself ~… I scurry on behind them thru the wood line making sure I stay out of site as I followed them to the tree of el.
Aisha's POV:
"Pant, pant... we made it!" I shouted breathlessly as we made it to the village's entrance just shy of sundown. I look back on poor Elsword who was slowly dragging behind his sword along with the girl's cannon. "Good job so far Elsword, but now you need to direct us to the village doctor" I tell him. Elsword just dragged in the cannon and panted some more. "The...only...doctor... pant... person...we have..." "Today man" I rushed him. "The only person like that here would be Anne who owns the local store here." he said as he sat on the cannon to catch his breath. "Ok then so where's her shop?" I asked. "Well her shop is near the entrance so it should be on the right side there "as Elsword pointed to my right to show the line of stores down the block.
"Oh my! Is everything ok?" I heard a woman shout from my right side. I turn to see a frienldy young woman with red hair running out from the store.
"N-no everything is not ok...um" I stumble out while still balancing the girl on my back. "Anne, we found her washed up on the beach outside the woods." Elsword cut in. "She's alive, but barely Anne, can you save her?" he pleaded. "Yes Anne, can you help her?" I chimed in. "Of course I can, come hurry and get her inside" she said as she helped me carry the girl into her place and gently on the bed. "Phew! And you carried her all the way from the coast?" Panted Anne as she caught her breath. "With a little help from Elsword, yeah we were able to do it." I replied. "She also had this ridiculously huge cannon which Elsword should be bringing inside." I say as I look around for Elsword. That lazy idiot, I wonder why he's dragging his feet.
"Maybe he needs some help with the cannon." I tell Anne as I begin to walk outside; I'm stopped by sudden yelling.
"Elsword! What are you doing out here?! You're supposed to be at the unit!" I heard someone yell. What in the world is going on out here? As I run outside to see a tall man dressed in a similar outfit yelling at Elsword. "Not now Lowe, I'm really tired...but listen Lo-" "No you listen!" As Lowe interrupted him mid sentence. "Are you disrespecting me rookie!? " he asked Elsword. "No you moron! Stop talking down to me and listen!" Elsword shouted back. "Why id ought to..." grumbled Lowe as pulled his sword out and pointed it at Elsword."Shall I discipline you in military conduct thru battle Elsword?! "Wait!" I shouted as my body carried me on its own, getting in between Elsword and the one called Lowe, outstretching my arms in an attempt to shield Elsword. "P-please calm down Mr. Lowe, Elsword is right; there is something important we have to tell you!" Perplexed, Lowe glared at me, then back at Elsword. "I'm not sure where you've been hiding such a cutie, but tell your little girlfriend to stand aside" he ordered while staring past me. "What!? Me and Elbaka?! No way!" I shrieked. " you didn't have to deny it that hard ya' know..." pouted Elsword."Lowe that's enough excitement in the streets. Now put that sword away." ordered a voice from out of nowhere.
Elsword's POV:
We all turn into the direction of the voice to see a middle aged man with a round belly and a jolly face lined with a shaggy beard. Great, Hagus is here. He's a lot more rational than Lowe. "So Lowe why are you causing excitement in the streets and pointing a sword at young Elboy here and his cute little lady friend here?" Asked Hagus. "He-he's not my boyfriend!" Shrieked Aisha again as she tried to cover her red face. Why is she making such a big deal about it? We aren't a couple so it shouldn't be such a big deal if someone mistakes us as one...right?... girls… are just weird. "R-right we're not a couple." I chime in with a sweat bead rolled down my face. "Well chief Hagus, I was punishing him here for insubordination and disobeying orders to stay at the drill hall until we returned but here we are when I catch him out here taking a nap" explained Lowe. "I see" commented Hagus. "And did you ask Elsword why he left his post Lowe?" "No..." responded Lowe. "So you see what's wrong here right Lowe?" Stated Hagus. "Yes sir... "Responded Lowe as he looked away in shame."So Elboy my lad, why did you leave your post?" Grinned Hagus "was it to pick up this lassy?" I chuckled at the thought. "No sir. I couldn't just sit there cleaning toilets as the real issue was the el shard so I took off after Lowe and the squad.
"I said."I see as Hagus chimed in. "Yeah" I said. "On my way to the tree of el I came across two bandits who was carrying an elshard in their hands and talking about the tree of el. I couldn't just leave them be so I confronted them and managed to defeat one of them. The other one ran away with the elshard, so I chased him in pursuit" I stated. "So why did u do that Elboy?"Asked Hagus. "Because it was the tree of El's elshard" I said. "I tailed the bandits to a clearing where they were being subdued by some...blue wolf monster...and it could talk!" I exclaimed. "A talking wolf monster huh?" Hagus asked in disbelief. "It's the truth though." Aisha chimed in. "Elsword was fighting that beast and that's when I jumped in with my Lightning bolt, saving Elsword." As she motioned with her staff as few specs of electricity crackled from the tip. "Right..." I dragged out as a bead of sweat rolled down my face. "Anyways when we defeated the wolf monster, the el shard flew high into the air..." she said. "Yeah, the thing flew far too. When we finally found the elshard it was at the coast but that's not all..." I said. "It's not?" Asked Hagus. "Nope" said Aisha. "We also found a shipwreck survivor. We had just made it back to town and we have Anne looking after her now" Hagus was taken a back a bit but all the information being presented to him.
"Well anyways sir, here's the stolen el shard that we retrieved." As I handed him the el shard. I watched as Hagus and Lowe inspected the elshard, Hagus scratching his beard while Lowe. "Well Elboy, you and your friend were certainly busy today. Job well done today, you saved a life." Smiled Hagus. "But fortunately..." chimed in Lowe "this el shard doesn't belong to this village... ours is still safely on the tree of el rookie. But good job though" he smiled. You're kidding me!? All that work for a fake el shard?! "Thank you sir" I reply trying to hide my frustration. "But Mr. Hagus, don't you think that the bandits will strike again for the real shard?" Asked Aisha. "Yeah you're right lil' lady." Said Hagus. I watched him as he scratched his beard a couple times before bringing his fist down to his palm.
"I got it." He said. "How about you go patrol the Tree of El tonight Elboy?" he proposed. "Patrol the Tree of El?" I ask back. "Well after you take a proper rest and prepare. After all you did have an eventful afternoon." He added. "Say Miss… Aisha was it?"
"Yes Mr. Hagus?" she replied. "What's up?"
"Would you mind tagging along with Elboy here on this mission one more time?" he asked her.
"Sure thing Mr. Hagus." She replied. "To be honest I've made more headway on my own quest to find my lost elemental powers ever since I met Elsword here. So maybe I'll find another lead at the Tree of El." She said.
"Great! Its settled then!" smiled Hagus. After you guys rest off please report to the tree of El." Replied Hagus. "And Lowe please come with me as we need to speak about that other problem with Elder village.
"Yes sir" replied Lowe as they walked off to Hagus's place.
"Well that went well" I said as I looked towards Aisha.
"Yeah" smiled Aisha. "Now how about we get to work moving this think inside with our sleeping guest and see what's up with her?"
I smiled as she came over to help me bring the cannon inside of Ann's shop. We moved the cannon into the back room where Ann had the soldier asleep in one of her beds.
"You certainly dodged the bullet there, didn't you Elsword" said Ann as she walked up to us.
"Yeah, thank god for old man Hagus." I said. I take a look at the girl lying in bed. "So how is she Ann?" I asked.
"Well externally she seems to be suffering from exhaustion but to be honest I won't be able to be sure without further examination... to do that I'm gonna have to find a way to take this armor off" she replied.
I cross my arms and close my eyes when I receive the answer. I let out a sigh as I look up at the ceiling. Well it can't be helped I suppose... "Sorry about that Ann, do what you have to do to save her. She knows something about Elsa... and I can't lose my only lead." I plead.
"Elsword..." I heard Aisha mumble from the corner of the room.
"Never fear Elsword, Auntie Annie is on the job." She chuckled with a fist pump. "Hopefully she's awake when you return from your mission tonight." She said with a smile. "Right now you should go rest, it will be night fall soon and you know the monsters act up when it's dark out. I don't want two patients now." She said with a wink.
"Yeah Elsword she's right. We should rest up before we head for the tree of El." Said Aisha as she patted my back . Ann must've noticed the smile on my face as she de she was smiling too.
"So Elsword where have you been hiding this cute girl of yours hmm?" Ann smiled with a mischieveious grin. "You haven't been hiding her at your house the whole time have you?"
Me and Aisha, both, are red like cherries. "WHAT!? WE JUST MET TODAY!" We shout simultaneously.
Ann bursts out laughing at our remarks. "Hahahahaha, take it easy it was just a joke. Though if you're gonna carry on this bad, it might as well be real." Me and Aisha just looked in opposite directions from each other. Stupid Ann…getting me all flustered like that… I thought to myself as I tried to hide the blush in my face. "Anyways don't fear Elsword, I got everything covered here. You two get on out of here and go rest up before it's too late." She said as she gently shoo'ed us out of the door.
"Ok Ann thanks again." I said as I waved goodbye.
"y'all don't do anything naughty now!" She said with a wink.
"We won't!" we both yelled back. We herd Ann laugh some more before closing her door. "Well that's Ann for you. Crazy right?" I said with a sweat bead down my face. "Hehe, right…" chuckled Aisha, wearing the same sweat bead I had myself. "So…" said Aisha with her eyes closed and a smiled. "Where to?"
"Hmmm…" I thought out loud as we walked down the street. Well it would probably be a waste of ED if she got an Inn now, just to leave again in like two or three hours so… as I continued to mumble to myself. "How about we rest at my place?" I offered?
"Sure thing." She said. "Lead the way."
I nodded my head as I lead the way to my house; over the river and near the edge of Ruben village, we arrive.
Aisha's Pov:
After a little walk through the village we arrive at Elsword's house. His house was pretty decent actually; it looked to be a three bedroom house from the outside. "Not a bad place you have here Elsword…"I said while looking around.
"Uh, t-thank you" he replied as he opened the door and ushered me inside. "So how about I put on the pot and get some cups of noodles going?" he asked.
"Sure that sounds fine, thank you." I said as I looked around. This place is pretty big… I wonder where the rest of his family is, it's kind of late for a house like this to be empty… I thought to myself as I explored the halls. "So when is everyone else gonna arrive home?" I asked.
"There is no one else, just me." Shouted Elsword from the kitchen.
What? What does he mean "just him?" Alone…in this big house…at his age? Even though I was out studying magic all over the continent I still had people at home waiting for me. Why would no one be ho- "ouch." I was so lost in thought I haven't realized that I had walked into a door. "The bathroom huh…." I mumble to myself. Now that I think of it, I haven't used the bathroom since I got up this morning. Like clockwork, my bowels decided to kick me, letting me know it time to potty. I head inside and sit on the toilet.
The sun had begun to set and its warm glow was shining through the window, kissing my cheek as I sat there. That feels nice…^_^ as I sat there with a smile on my face and my eyes closed. I wonder how that castaway is doing…. and what was she even doing out there to end up here? I sigh and let out a yawn and stare into space. And just who is this Elesis person anyways? To elicit such a strong reaction from Elsword…and to be known by strangers alike. Elesis… you must be some person. I wonder, just who are you to Elsword… Those thoughts and more echoed through my mind as I sat there, lost in my daydream.
"Hmmph, since do I leave doors closed in here?" I heard Elsword say from outside as I heard the doorknob turn open.
"W-what!? Wait you fool I'm in here!"
"Haha! Take that door!"Chanted the blockhead as he burst open the door. I was speechless as he unwittingly walked in until the gravity of his ignorance hit him like a ton of bricks. There was an awkward silence for about 10 seconds until Elsword decided to break the silence.
"Ah...so that's where you were hiding, hehe hahaaaaa.
"Elsword you idiot! Were you raised in a barn!?" I shrieked as I subconsciously summoned and launched my staff at Elsword, smacking him right in the forehead.
"Yeeaaaagh!" Yelped Elsword as fell over with x's in his eyes.
"Hmmph! Serves you right you animal" I pout as I levitate his limp body back to the living room. As I plop his lifeless body on the couch I could see the stars floating over his head. Jeez I hope he didn't see anything.
I noticed a nice smell coming from the kitchen and went to go investigate it. The kitchen itself had space for a small family to cook and sit down but it was rather bare, just the bare necessities, a table, a stove, a fridge, ect. Bare as it was the delicious smell that dragged me in there was coming from the stove. I looked into the pot to witness a hot pot of chicken soup. Wow this smells wonderful... did he make this all by himself? I'm guessing it's for us judging by these two bowls. My stomach growled as I filled the bowls and took them to the living room. By that time the fool had woken up.
"Aww, damn it Aisha, was all that really necessary?" Asked Elsword as he nurtured the bump on his forehead.
"Of course it was." I giggled as I handed him his bowl of soup.
"Hmmph, and this is the thanks I get for making dinner, ouch." He said, continuing to nurse his lump.
"Oh all right come here." I said as I finished my bowl of soup. As I summoned my wand, Elsword flinched. "Oh come on, I'm not that mean, I'm just trying to help you." I said as I motioned him to come closer.
"O-oh ok then" he said wearily as he let go of his forehead. I then waved my wand a bit and my wand glowed a light green as I waved it over his lump.
"Wow, I didn't know you knew healing magic?" Said Elsword as he blushed. Hehe cute. "Hehe, yeah, I learned a littler healing magic in my travels; you know, to take care of minor scrapes and bruises or in this case, lumps ^^" I said as I smiled as my wand nursed him. "All done!" I said as the red lump disappeared.
Elsword touched his forehead in disbelief. "Wow, it's really gone...good as new. That's pretty cool!" He said excited.
"Why thank you." I responded.
"Hehe I wish I could use magic like that." He replied. "The only thing I can do is swing this sword around."
"Hey now, don't knock it." I reassured him. "Your swordsmanship is actually some of the best I've seen. I was actually rather impressed when you took on that wolf monster." I hadn't noticed yet but I was blushing. "It was actually rather brave..."
That comment had caused Elsword to blush."T-thank you...no one have ever really commented well about my swordsmanship like that before."
I was astonished. "Really?! But you're so good, and at such a young age as well" I said. "Who was your master, Elsword? They must be a phenomenal." I commented As I praised him.
"Her name was Elsa, leader of the red knights." He responded. I watched as his face changed from a kid in a candy store into a sullen warrior.
"Was?" I asked. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up." Wow, the red knights are the most powerful knights in elrios... and he was trained by the leader of them all? ... just wow. Whilest I was feeling bad about bringing up bad memories; he raised his hand, gesturing that it was ok.
"Hehe, don't worry, I know she's alive somewhere." He said. "Especially after today from what that castaway said before she fainted." He said as his face was filled with hope once more. "Now there's hope that she's alive somewhere."
I was a little confused. "But wasn't the person the castaway talking about was someone named Elesis?"
"Yes, I know." He said. "Elesis is my sister's actual name. Elsa is just what I called her when I was a kid."
I was just speechless. "wow. So you weren't only trained by the leader of the red knights, she was in fact your sister?!
"Yeah." He replied weakly.
"Well where did she go?" I asked.
"Well... two of her old friends came over one day out of the blue, requesting that she rejoin and lead her platoon in one more time. At the time Elsa had retired due to my mother getting terminally ill and to help raise me. Unfortunately after our dad died in the line of duty our widowed mother I guess couldn't bear it anymore and died shortly after.
"Oh Elsword...I'm so sorry" I said as I placed my hand on his shoulder. "I couldn't even begin to imagine your loss."
"Its ok Aisha, but thanks though." he said as he smiled at me. "I didn't really know my parents seeing that all this happened around when I was two. Elsa was more my mother than my sister; retiring from the red knights to take care of me... teaching me the way of the sword and raising me... well all up until five years ago when a mission that was so great, she had to take it; leaving me behind here in Ruben village. Her last words to me were to train everyday and become as strong as she is… "Wow... I thought. Listening to him speak about his past and goals kind of makes my journey seem a little insignificant.
"So Aisha, I remember you talking about looking for the el because you lost your powers...though you seem pretty powerful already, so why?" He asked
Hmmmm … "Well much like you I guess, I've been training in the art of magic since I was a kid and at the age of 14, I became the youngest elemental master in history. My grandfather, who I've been training with at his magic academy held a party for my success. I had received many gifts from the council as well, wands that amplified magic power, enchanted robes that never wear or wrinkle, mana potions ect, there was all kinds of gifts there." I said.
"Sounds like you had a lot of fun huh?" Commented Elsword, who was surprisingly very attentive. "So what went wrong?"
"Well, I was just getting to that..." I responded. "after I had opened all of the gifts, there was this anonymous gift left on the table. So thinking nothing of it I picked it up and opened the box revieling a beautiful gold ring with a turquoise gem in the middle of it; inside, a note stating it was a magical accessory that absorbs mana in the surrounding area to amplify its wielder's spells by 20%"
"Wow that's a lot of extra power." Replied Elsword
"I know right?" I started again. "So out of nowhere in the middle of the crowd someone shouted 'try it on! We were all a little buzzed so I didn't even give it a second thought; I mean why would I, right? So I try on the ring and it gets a little warm and the gem starts to shine. Next thing I know, the ring emitted these rays of light; it was a rather pretty sight, until the rays started to stick to my dress. I panicked as I tried to remove the ring but like clockwork, more rays of light out stretched from the ring, and continued wrapping around me, as it pinned my arms and legs together. I struggled as hard as I can while my grandfather tried as many dispel charms he knew but neither might nor magic worked against this sinister ring. As the rays tied me up from neck to toe, it decided to wrap around my mouth as well. I could only make muffled screams in protest as it wrapped around me."
Elsword surprised me as he had an empathetic look to him as he turned to me. "Wow Aisha, that sounds like some ordeal. It sounded pretty scary...I'm not sure how well I'd fare in that situation."
"W-well I must admit, it was scary." I stammered weakly. "I thought I was getting tired from all the struggling and I fell to my knees. But in actuality it was from mana exhaustion. My bonds grew hotter and brighter as I felt myself get weaker; the was a trail of purple light that ran from my bonds and back into the ring. I could only wiggle helplessly as the purple light of my mana was being drained of me, this ring was literally stealing my mana from me. The whole crowd watched on helplessly until the last of the purple mana was eaten by the ring. When that happened, the gem glowed bright purple as a beam of light shot straight into the sky. Then without a moment's notice, my bonds disappeared instantly. As I layed on my back, I watched the purple beam of light condense into a ball and like a shooting star, it bolted off into the north sky.
As my grandfather scooped me up and checked me out I was fine physically but in actuality nearly all of my mana that I've worked up for to reach the status of elemental master was gone; I could barely make a puff of smoke. The ring was still on my finger but the gem itself had vanished with the light. The next day we studied the ring to find out that it was an ancient anti-magic ring, used to sap mana from its target. My grandfather determined that it must've been a play to keep me from gaining access to the council, a privilege given only to those who gain high magical ranks. He was going to announce it at the party that he was going to name me his successor to his seat at the academy. The terrorist against this attack however was never found. We did however found out that the ring had a similar wavelength to that of the el shards. And with that I began my quest to regain my lost powers and to find out who tried to assassinate me and bring them to justice."
"Assassinate you? But how?" Asked Elsword. "All they did was subdue you while taking your mana."
"Well, unbeknownst to people, mana is in everybody, and everything; it's part of your lifeworks, so if you lose all of it, its fatal. "I said.
"Wow... so I could die from losing something I never lose huh?" Said Elsword while he was checking out his hand. "Well that sucks. "So you lost your mana and in such your power, but you were spewing lightning bolts today... how'd you do that if you lost your powers?"
"Well for the last year Elsword, I had to restart my magical training all over again and build up my mana again. Since it was my second time around, I managed to remaster fire magic though I only know a few spells. Though I believe if I investigate the el shards I'll find some way to find that gem that stole my powers from me."
"Well hopefully we turn something up when we check out the Tree of El tonight." Said Elsword as he smiled at me. "Thanks Elsword, I really appreciate that. " I said as I thanked him. And I hope our castaway wakes up soon and tells us a whole lot of clues about your sister as well. I really do hope you find some answers Elsword, I really do.
We both kind of just sat there as we were resting up for the next hour, lost in our thoughts. I guess I'm gonna have to change my opinion of you. You're actually a lot more sensitive than I gave you credit for. When we first met, I took you for an ill mannered, immature brute... but besides my grandpa, you're the only one who really cared about me losing my magic, and you only knew me for a day and you showed more kindness than those at the academy... the academy... that's the real reason why I left to get my magic back. It was as if they were happy that I lost my powers... I just couldn't stay in that environment any more.
I opened my eyes to see Elsword napping on the other couch with a smile on his face. Hehe poor thing, I'm probably the first company he's had in here for the last 5 years. I can feel myself blushing again. I couldn't hide it, I was happy too to be spending the night with someone than camping outside alone again. "Really seemed to have misjudged you a lot... may our paths be intertwined for many moons to come." I say softly as I close my eyes again.
"Hey rookie! Stop playing with you girlfriend and head on over to the tree of el!" Shouted Lowe from outside, startling us both awake.
"Hehe I guess he's right." Chuckled Elsword as he stretched a yawn out. "Well, we'd better get moving before it gets any later. Here, let me get that for you." He said as he stretched over to me, still yawning.
"No no, its ok, I got it." I replied while I held my hand out kindly refuse his gesture. I couldn't let him do everything now could I.
"No no no, I insiiiyaaaaaww -crack- kaaah!" yelped Elsword in mid yawn as he tipped over like a tree, about to fall on me.
"Kyaaaaaaaah! Wait!" I shrieked.
-Crash-
"Haah…" I panted as I let out a sigh. Huh? Why am I short of breath like this? What's this strange, tingling feeling, coursing through my body? Its making my heart beat faster?! I-I need to open my eyes.
As the dust settled and I had opened my eyes, we were both on a heap on the couch, Elsword on top of me. I immediately started blushing.
"E-Elsword, are you alri-?" I stopped mid question when I saw Elsword with a dumb look on his face; as red as mines to boot.
"Squishy…~ " he let out as he squeezed something.
"Kyaah… " I panted again as he squeezed. What the hell?! I looked down and realized what he was squeezing… was my left breast. "You…YOU…!" I let out; my face instantly was flushed two more shades of red. "YOOOOOOOOOUUUU PERVEEEEERT!"
-THUNDERCLAP- went my hand as it connected with his face, launching him off the couch.
"DYAAAAAAAAAAARRG!" went Elsword as he flew.
"I take back everything I thought about you!" I shouted as stormed out the door in a flustered fury.
Meanwhile at the Tree Of El:
?'s Pov:
"Well there goes the last of our guard issues" I said to myself as I watched the two El Troop members left their posts in relief of two more troops. After the troops were far enough away the new guards left their post headed on over to me.
"Ok Banthus, the coast is clear now." They said to me.
"Good work." I said to them as I walk over. "So, let's head on over and get this over with. Im sick of this forest." I said as we walked the path down to the base of the tree; the lake that the tree sat in shined a brilliant crystal blue in the light of the full moon. I started up into the night sky.
"Hey watch your step boss; those traps you wanted set up are right here at the entrance." My men said as they lead me around them. "So what kind of traps are they boys?" I asked.
"Well boss, the initial one is a trip wire that loops around you leg when they step in the pressurized area."
"Great, sounds nice." as I looked at the floor, trying to find the trap. It was incredibly well hidden, I couldn't see anything suspicious. "And where are the other traps?"
"Well after that trap boss there's a pit fall under it so when their buddies come to help them they'll fall in right under them." He responded. I laughed heartily.
"Excellent" I said with a grin.
?'s POV:
I heard some hearty laughter from the base of the tree. The two bandits I had been following haven't noticed me the entire time I was tailing them. Unfortunately the tree of El's base was in the middle of a lake So I'd have to wait till they go inside before I made my advance.
Well… it looks like they went inside, time to make a move then. I ran down the path as quickly and quietly as I can down the path to the tree. The moon shone rather beautifully on the lake at night, I wish I had time to sit down and enjoy the view; it was so romantic.
After a few more minutes, I arrived at the base of the tree. I looked inside for any signs of activity but there was none. "Alright then looks like the coast is clear as I stepped into the tree.
-Snap-
Huh? What's that? "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" I screamed. No sooner than I wondered about that noise I felt my ankles being pulled together and lifted off the ground and above my head as I was carried into the air. "Kyaaah! What the?! What Is this?!" I cried as I tried to grab old of the rope on my feet. I can't believe this is happening to me!
"Hey, you guys hear that?" I heard from higher up. "Yeah I heard that, it sounded pretty." Said another man. It sounded closer this time. "Whahahahaha! Well what do we have here boys?" I heard even closer as I can see them now. "Hehe you should put some of these traps around our base at home and catch us a few more women like this." chuckled the third man.
"Uugh, um could you let me down please?" I asked as cutely as I could. Maybe if I sweet talk them, they'll let me go and maybe I could reason with them not to disturb the El.
"Well that depends little lady." Said the third man. He seemed to be the leader of the three. "What's your name?" he asked me.
"My name is Rena." I replied back.
"Rena huh?" he replied "That's such a pretty name. Tell me… what's such a pretty girl such as yourself doing out here so late at night?"
Judging from my situation I figured I'd might as well tell them the truth. Maybe if I did that, they'd realize how grave a deed they were doing and leave it alone.
"Well I'm from the Elven realm, and I was sent by the Elder to stop the disturbance to the El shard, in which was actually you guys since you planning to steal it as such. But, I must warn you…" I say.
"Warn us?" said the lead bandit. "You there, Baldy! Lower her down a bit, I wanna hear what she's ranting about." Grinned the lead bandit.
"Hey! My name's not baldy! It's Harold!" cried the bald bandit as he tugged on some rope and I felt myself being lowered down. I had expected to be right side up but instead I was left dangling at a more level height to them.
"So whatcha gonna warn us about?"Leered the lead bandit as he got closer to me.
"Of the consequences of removing that El from its resting place." I replied. "The power of El… it's the life force of the planet; it's the reason that you can live here. If that El shard wasn't here, this place and the surrounding area would be uninhabitable."
"So, I'll just move somewhere else with the money I get from it." Replied the bandit. "And besides, why do you care so much anyway?" questioned the bandit. "Don't you elves live in your own separate lil' world? What are you even doing here anyways?"
"Because our worlds are tied together by the El shard!" I shouted at him. I stared at him in disbelief as he wore a face of disregard. How could this bastard willingly do this?! Is he really that ignorant?!
"If you steal it, then my home is doomed to fade! That's why the elder sent me here to stop the disturbance to the El; if I fail, the Elven race will face extinction! Don't you care at all that you'll be murdering countless numbers of innocent lives!?" I shouted at him as I panted for breath. "Man, I don't feel so good…" as I held my head. Must be the blood rushing to my head…
I looked up to the bandit who was now scratching his chin in thought.
"You know what?" he started. "Now that I think about it, it would be a crime to kill off a race of delicious beauties such as yourself." He snickered as he held my chin.
"Well not the noblest of reasons but I'm glad that you understand how grave the consequences would be if you went through with your plan." I replied. "Now if you would get me down from here I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm starting to get a little woozy."
"Hehe, yeah. Sorry about that." He replied as he walked around behind me. I rested my eyes as I waited for him to let me down. "And here the elder thought all humans were all bad… I knew he was wro-aammmmmgh!" I shrieked mid sentence as I felt a cloth wedged against my teeth. I could feel the cloth being knotted behind the back of my head. O-ow! W-what is this?! A cloth!? And why can't I move my arms?!
"Hehe, you know what I just thought of something…"snickered the bandit. I could feel his rough hand holding my wrists behind my back. "I was thinking that maybe you should tag along with us while we go swipe that old El shard."
"Whmmmmph!?" I shouted into my gag.
"Hey Baldy! Give me some rope here!" shouted the bandit.
"Come on Banthus stop calling me Baldy! It's Harold!" he whined as he gave him some rope.
"Shut up Baldy." Said Banthus as I felt the coils wrap around my wrists. I tugged at my bindings but this one called Banthus was skilled with rope and they wouldn't budge.
Damn, it's tight. It won't budge. Why is he doing this?! I wiggled around trying to shake myself loose but that was a useless endeavor. The bandits just laughed at my futile attempts.
"Now now, take it easy Rena dear." Chuckled Banthus. "Once we swipe the El shard lets go back to camp and celebrate" he said as he groped my butt.
"Mmmph!?" I shrieked as he groped me.
"Hell maybe after we're done having fun we can swing by your place and pick up some more elven beauties such as yourself? Seeing that they sent you to try and stop me, they aren't smart enough to jump ship when things get hairy." He said as he started hoisting me up higher on the tree limb I was hanging on.
"Mmmmmph! Mrrrmmph!" I shouted into my gag in protest.
Hehehe, I know some people who would pay millions to have your kind's company, but that will have to wait until we've had our fun first, hahahaha!" snickered Banthus as I felt the hoisting stop. I guess he had finished setting me up at a proper height again. I watched as Banthus and his men walked further away from me as the proceeded up to the top of the tree.
I began to grunt and struggle as I tried to untie myself. I kept at it for what seemed like forever but the seemingly simple tie was rather potent. Tired, I looked above me to see how high up I was. Crap! I'm really high up…if I fell from this height I could break my neck. As reality sank in I realized that I have royally failed my mission and I was helpless to stop them from creating the future chaos that would ensue in the deaths of countless people, both humans and elves. I felt a tear drop out of my eye as I hung there as the gravity of it all pulled on me as I hung there.
End of Chapter 4
Digi: Man I finally finished that thing. – passes out-
Elsword: Its about time. You've been at this one chapter for 2 months now
Digi: Shut up! I had shit to do! You know that I had to move, manage the guild, henirs, relationship woes, ect, ect!
Aisha: Come on Elsword, cut him a break. I think he put a lot into this chapter , I think the fans will like it.
Digi: Hell yeah I did! Cut me some more slack Elsword! I even hooked you up!
Elsword: Oh yeah? How?
Digi: You forgot already!?
Elsword: Forgot what?
Digi: Squishy squishy~
Elsword: Oh yeah ^^;
Digi: So how was it?
Elsword: Heavenly soft~
Aisha: -fuming- SO IT WAS YOU!?
Digi: aahhhh…../
Aisha: Lightning Bolt! –lightning bolts Digi and Elsword-
Elsword: Why Meeeeeeee!?
Rena: Mmmm, Hllmmmmph mmm, sommmbobmmy!( Hey, Help me somebody)
Aisha: Why is she even tied up Digi?
Elsword: -coughs- because he likes damsels in distress
Digi: -coughs- And also its for a future boss fight I have planned –cough, cough- Don't worry Rena, we'll rescue you soon. I'll try not to take 2 months this time for chapter 5 ,;
Everyone: bye bye ^^