Chapter 19: Again?

Last time on Tales of the World: New Age Mythology … Simon decided to join the guild, again, Luke is still acting suspicious. While Simon might be going crazy.

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, college has been busy and I had some things going on with my health so things have been hectic. Don't expect the next chapter until months from now. Sorry.

XXX

The next morning, Kanonno and Simon went off to the guild district at the same time, which Laurel noted was strange.

"It's just going to work, except I have some company." Kanonno noted. The two met up with Veigue as they went to the guild district. They parted ways when Simon got to the guild's headquarters, the building was busy, members rushing in and out, turning in reports and receiving jobs. He was shoved out of the way so other members could get through. He saw a few familiar faces in the rush but was unable to make eye contact. He managed to get to the front desk where the woman gave him a stern look and pointed to the door behind her. He assumed she meant for him to get in, so he walked behind the desk and entered the door behind her. The room only had a bookshelf and a desk, it was pretty empty. Simon looked around and went up to the book case he looked at the spines until he found a book called "Unique artifacts." He pulled it out and flipped through the pages he skimmed over pages about pots and art from ancient times, not as ancient as the Apocalypse period, but still over a thousand years old. Then he came across an interesting article called: "Subject: S013."

"This was found in some ruins close to present day Matha, Speg. This is one of the few artifacts that prove artificial humans exist, primarily robotic humans. Unfortunately the team that exavated her found her in pieces." Simon read.

'Her?' Simon thought before continuing to read.

"With current technology we are unable to put her back together, but she is beneficial in studying what these robotic humans were used for. From the extensive damage to her exterior we can assume that she was used for warfare, and was probably destroyed during a battle." Simon then looked at a sketch of S013, it was detailed, showing a young girl with long hair and eyes closed some skin torn off showing the metallic skeleton underneath and the cybernetic eye. Frayed wires replaced an arm and a leg.

"You should ask for permission before looking through someone's personal items." He heard someone say behind him. He squeaked and quickly put the book away.

"I-I-I'm sorry!" He panicked, turning around, "I was just curious and I didn't know what to do and-"

"Calm down, there's no need to panic." Assured a man in a suit with brown hair tied back and a beard, brushing off the issue. "You must be Simon, correct?"

"Y-yes sir." He said stiffening.

"At ease." Said the man, grabbing a file from his desk. "I am the leader of Cademeca's branch of Ad Libitum, Van Grants, and I assume you've met Legretta already." Simon nodded. "From what I understand, you've already had experience working for a guild correct?" Van continued, Simon nodded again. "I assume you don't need me to explain how the guild works, correct."

"… Yes sir." Simon replied. Van looked over the file a few more times then put it back on his desk.

"Follow me." He ordered. Simon quickly obeyed and followed Van out of the room, across the lobby, dodging guild members and down a flight of stairs. The room he was lead to looked deserted with the exception of two people, punching bags lay in a row in a corner and he saw stuffed figures tied on steaks stitched in several areas, no one tended to the equipment in the room. Van signaled Simon to stay put as he walked up to the two people. Simon noticed that one of the people was a large humanoid black cat, the other was a young boy wearing a fedora, he didn't seem any older than Robin. Simon grimaced at the thought of being in contact with the beast man as Van silently talked with the two.

"Simon!" He called when he was finished. He stiffened up and jogged up to the three. "This is Eugene," he said gesturing to the cat man, "and Stephen" gesturing to the boy. "They're going to be helping you with this small test."

"Test?" Simon questioned.

"Oh don't worry, it's just a couple of simple jobs, extermination and retrieving." Said Stephen, his voice much higher than any other young man he's met.

"We're going to observe your skills." Stated Eugene.

"Oh … kay …" Said Simon hesitantly, his eyes starting to itch. He frequently blinked in an attempt to relieve the itch.

"I trust you know what to do, I'll let you three go." Said Van giving Eugene a slip of paper before leaving.

"So what are we exterminating?" Stephen asked.

"Says that we have to get rid of a couple of eggbears and retrieve some Sage." Read Eugene.

"All right! Let's go!" Stephen cheered leading the way, Eugene followed closely, Simon rubbed his eyes as he walked behind Eugene. On the way back to the entrance he missed a step and stumbled. He grabbed the walls to regain balance. The other two looked back.

"Are you all right?" Eugene asked.

"I'm fine." Said Simon going back to blinking. Eugene eyed Simon then turned back and walked up stairs. Once outside Simon felt a little better but his eyes still itched.

"So where are we going?" Simon asked.

"To a forest just outside the city, eggbears are common to the area so it isn't uncommon that they would be harassing the people who live on the outskirts." Eugene explained, "Plus we might find some monsters holding some sage."

"All right, let's go!" cheered Stephen.

"Wait a minute." Eugene paused.

"Aww … what now?" Stephan moaned.

"Simon, will you be okay with your allergies?" Eugene asked.

"Allergies?" Asked Simon pretending to not know what he's talking about.

"Be honest Simon, are you allergic to me?" Eugene questioned.

"… How did you know?" Simon responded.

"Your eyes are red, you're tearing up and your voice sounds a bit raspy." Eugene answered bluntly.

"Oh …" Simon sighed, 'After living in with Laurel I didn't even notice.'

"I'll be fine." He stated.

"Are you sure?" Eugene asked.

"Yeah, I won't let them become a burden." Simon assured.

"Great, the new guy's gonna try to keep his allergies in check, can we go now?" Stephen complained.

"Just one more thing." Said Eugene, Stephan growled, "Everyone has enough items right?"

"I still have some gels but I should be fine." Said Simon.

"I'm fully stocked on everything." Grumbled Stephan.

"All right, now we can go Stephen." Stated Eugene.

"Yes! Finally!" Exclaimed Stephen running off. Simon looked on with shock.

"You will be fine right?" Eugene asked.

"Please, don't worry about me." Said Simon.

XXX

After chasing Stephen through the city, the three wound up in the forest Eugene mentioned earlier. Stephen wandered around looking up trees.

"Stephen don't wander off too far." Eugene warned.

"Yeah yeah," Said Stephen, ignoring his words.

"Um … What is he doing?" Simon asked.

"He's looking for a Nia fruit tree." Eugene replied.

"Nia … fruit?" Simon questioned.

"It's a fruit native to this country, they're used for medicinal purposes." Eugene explained. "Eggbears love Nia fruits so we'll be using some as bait."

"What are you doing just standing there? Those eggbears aren't going to bait themselves!" Stephen called. Eugene spotted something behind the boy. Stephen seemed to have caught on, he pulled out one of his pistols and shot at the branches above him. They heard a screech and a plant monster fell out from a tree, dead.

"What was …" Simon began.

"Those love to hang out in trees and catch their prey by sneaking up on them." Stated Eugene. "We need to keep our guard up."

"Yeah yeah I know!" Moaned Stephan as he started climbing a tree. Simon looked up.

"Find anything?" He asked.

"No …" He moaned.

"Don't go jumping from tree to tree, you remembered what happened last time." Eugene warned.

"Yeah yeah I remember." Stephan moaned then jumping down. Simon heard a rustle and quickly drew his sword only to spot a plant monster walk by, he saw the monster holding a leafy plant.

"Hey is that the sage we need?" He asked.

"Ah ha! Found it!" Stephan shouted scaring the plant monster causing it to run away.

"Never mind…" Simon sighed. Stephan climbed the tree then came and a moment later he came back down with an orange colored fruit.

'That's the Nia fruit I'm guessing.' Simon thought. Eugene nodded. Stephan then smashed the fruit on the ground, which released a foul stench. "Ugh!" He exclaimed holding his nose, his eyes watering more than they normally would with allergies. "You bait these eggbears with this?"

"Well of course!" Said Eugene. Not too long after the egg bears came charging in. Stephan pulled out his pistols and went on a shooting frenzy, Eugene clutched his weapon and charged. Simon on the other hand hesitated and jumped out of the way when an eggbear charged his way, then slashed the back. He blocked the claw of one of them then he twisted his wrist and jabbed the bear. Stephan killed the eggbear for him by shooting it through the head.

"Thanks." Said Simon, followed by an eggbear smacking Simon into a tree. He swallowed an apple gel then got up on his feet and slashed at the eggbear until it was down.

"Are you all right?" Eugene asked killing the last one.

"I'm fine." Said Simon panting.

"Good." Said Eugene. "Now all we need to do is find the sage."

"Well we might not be able to." Said Stephan digging in his bag, he then pulled out a plant the looked like the one Simon saw on a monster.

"You mean you had this the whole time?!" He shouted. Eugene merely sighed in frustration.

"Let's head back." He said, "Oh and Simon, you did good."

XXX

Back at the guild Simon waited for the results. He was getting bored really fast since he didn't have anything to entertain himself. Then Van came up to him.

"Um … how did I do?" He asked.

"Fine, your combat skills still need some work but other than that you've managed to get the job done." He said. This made Simon feel a lit light headed, but in a way that made him want to fly. Van then offered his hand. "Welcome to the guild." Simon gasped as he smiled and gladly shook his hand.

"Th-th-thank you!" He said.

"We'll contact you when you have a job, got that?" He said.

"Yes sir! Thank you!" He repeated. He then ran out of the guilds building. On the way back he glomped Kanonno.

"Whoa! Simon!" She exclaimed. "What's gotten into you?"

"I got into the guild!" He cried hugging her tighter.

"Ugh. Well good for you." She said sounding choked. "Can you please let go?"

"Ah! Sorry!" He said, releasing her.

"So you wanna celebrate with vodka?" She asked.

"No thank you. You always rant when you're drunk." Simon turned down.

"You're no fun." She moaned.

"Is she always this insistent on alcohol?" Veigue asked.

"Yes." Kanonno stated bluntly. Simon said nothing and shrugged. Despite his refusal she got some beer anyway.

XXX

I'm sorry if this is a piece of shit! I haven't written this in so long and I didn't edit it!