Mother and Son Chapter 2 - Family Bonds
After settling down, Allen, Matilda, Tiffa and Saito all took a seat at the round table near the back of the hut, watching Agnes and Siesta take their leave. Tiffa served freshly brewed tea, the worry apparent in Saito's expression. Allen decided to dig for a little more information.
"What was that about some runes, earlier? Were you branded with an enhancement spell of some sort? I thought those were illegal," said Allen. Saito let out a hum of thought, thinking about what to say.
"Well, sort of. A few years ago, I was summoned to be Louise's familiar, the Gandalfr. It was really amazing. Whenever I held a weapon, I instantly knew how to use it, and could wield it with perfect mastery. But for some reason, when I woke up here with Tiffa after my battle with the army of 70,000, the runes were already gone. I don't know why…"
"That's because you died, kiddo."
Allen blinked in surprise as he saw Derflinger withdraw himself from his sheath slightly, taking the time to speak up. It was odd, seeing him do that from another perspective. Allen was so used to turning his own head. Still, Saito's words confirmed what Matilda had said earlier about the battle. He turned to her, eyeing her slyly as she gave him a coy smile. The damned vixen. She knew who the 'mysterious swordsman' was all along.
"W-What are you talking about? I'm alive, aren't I?" This time, Matilda stepped in.
"Tiffania used a magic ring to bring you back to life. Her mother, my step-mother, had given it to her before she died, saying to use it if she found someone in trouble."
Tiffa blushed, not expecting the sudden attention. Allen leaned forward, curious.
"That's some very powerful magic. Most definitely elvish, if I must say. Human magic is nowhere near powerful enough to bring back the dead. Not even void magic can do it."
Tiffania and Matilda tensed as Allen mentioned the magic being elvish. Was he right? Probably. Still, he could understand their concern. Elvish magic was considered heretical by humans. Before he could continue, Derflinger cut him off.
"You seem to speak from experience. In fact, you're taking Saito's announcement about being a familiar pretty well. Most people think that human familiars are strange, and that the void is a lost art these days," analyzed Derflinger. Allen couldn't help but smile. He was just as clever as his own Derflinger.
"Don't worry about it. If anyone is strange, it's me. I'm from Rub Al' Khali."
W-What?! You're from beyond the Sahara Desert?!" Matilda and Derflinger shouted in surprise. Tiffania and Saito, however, were confused. Allen shrugged.
"Yup. I don't see the big deal, to be honest."
"B-But Rub Al' Khali has been cut from outside contact ever since Halkeginians were banished from the holy land! You mean to tell me that you crossed the Sahara desert on your own?!" Matilda went on. Tiffa and Saito exchanged looks, wondering what was happening.
"So? Rub Al Khali and the elves have been in contact for the longest time. All I had to do was ask a few of my elven friends for some transportation, and bam. I came to Halkeginia."
"Y-You're friends with the elves?!" Tiffania added this time. Allen nodded as she let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness… Then you won't mind if… I take off my hat?" Allen eyed her curiously as she took it off. His eyes widened ever so slightly at her ears.
"Hmm. So you are an elf. I had my suspicions with the ring deal, but I suppose it makes sense. But back on topic, no mister… sword, I'm not surprised with Saito being the Gandalfr, or a familiar. We've studied it extensively for the past 3000 years."
That was a lie. Sheffield was the one who studied it, and with her Myoznitnir runes, her research was taken to levels beyond anything thought possible. Her research revolutionized magic in Halkeginia as a whole, as loathe as he was to admit it.
"My name is Derflinger, not mister sword. Since you're so knowledgeable, you probably know who I am, am I right?" Derflinger was acting all smug now, the haughtiness of his tone making Allen laugh.
"Indeed. I know very well who you are, Derflinger the devourer. How is Sasha these days?"
"Hold on, let me think… Sasha rings a bell..."
"Your mother," Allen supplied patiently.
"Oh! She died some thousand years ago."
"Ah, that's a shame. I would have loved to meet the very first Gandalfr. Though, I suppose it makes sense, since Saito here is the next Gandalfr."
"H-Hold on, I'm lost! You knew who the first Gandalfr was?! But you didn't even remember what the Gandalfr was when we first met, Derf!" Saito shouted, looking slightly offended. Allen shrugged.
"6000 years is a pretty long time," Derflinger and Allen said at the same time. They paused, before laughing at the same time as well. Matilda, Saito and Tiffa exchanged confused looks, before shaking their heads and laughing slightly as well. As it died down, Allen couldn't help but look back at the door.
"Hmmm… Louise must have wandered really far. They sure are taking their—" Allen started, but was cut off as he felt a surge of magic. His left shoulder began to throb as magic coursed through him like a wave, making his entire body shiver as he recognized the signature it bore. Allen instinctively clutched his shoulder.
Sheffield was near.
Saito as well, seemed to notice something was amiss. A faint, but distant cry reached the hut, making Saito stand and bolt out the door.
"Louise!"
"Damn idiot, rushing out like that," said Allen. Standing up as well, he turned to Matilda. "Take care of Tiffania. There's a very powerful mage nearby, so no matter what you do, don't leave the hut! We'll lead them away from here, so make sure you protect Tiffa!"
Fearing the worst, Allen bolted out the door, racing after Saito.
-Mother and Son-
It was almost as if time itself had stopped as Louise took in her surroundings. Agnes was leaning forward in a state of weariness, Siesta not far behind. Agnes readied herself, taking a stance with her sword held between her slightly bloody, sweaty palms. However, it was undeniable that fatigue was slowly overcoming her.
Louise did her best not to pant – the last thing she wanted was for Sheffield to realize she was getting tired. With a burst of speed, Agnes expertly dispatched another set of gargoyles, and dodged as Louise herself used another explosion spell. Sparks and smoke flew as steel and explosion met stone. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sheffield watching from the sidelines, smiling in an almost mad and sickening way.
"I'll ask once more; where is the other void mage?" Louise saw Agnes grit her teeth, keeping her silence as she answered.
"We don't know what you're talking about!" Sheffield chuckled in response, the runes on her forehead shining with a dark, foreboding light.
"It's for your own sake that you should speak up, you know. Or would you rather be shred to pieces by my gargoyles?"
Though Sheffield was calm on the outside, deep down she was swirling with anticipation. This morning, a sudden feeling that she couldn't explain appeared. That feeling had brought her here to this place, and what did she find? A void mage.
She was sure of it. This feeling was the link between all the wielders of the void; living proof that their fates are bound together.
Agnes replied with a swing of her sword, destroying more of the abominations. She shuffled backwards, staying close to the young mage and maid as Louise cast two more explosion spells, her worry and panic slowly taking over.
Saito... Please help me! You're my familiar, aren't you!?
"You girls have any bright ideas?" Agnes growled as she eyed her targets. Louise bit her lip.
"I have just one..."
Louise closed her eyes, trusting the magic in her heart, and began to chant.
"My name is Louise Francoise Le Blanc de la Valliere... Pentagon that governs the five powers, open the summon gate before me and my yet to be familiar!"
-Mother and Son-
Allen and Saito ran through the forest, sprinting with all that they had. Saito called out desperately for Louise, hoping for any sign of recognition. They heard explosions, and Saito followed them as best as he could, but to Allen it was meaningless. He could already sense where they were.
Clutching his left shoulder again, Allen peered intently at it when Saito wasn't looking. As they drew closer to Sheffield, the bond he had with his mother, the one thing that he was forced to acknowledge about her burned more intensely. He hated that, but what he hated more was that it worked both ways. If the Sheffield of this world was marked as he was, there would be big trouble.
As Saito called out again and again, a thought came to Allen.
"You're not the Gandalfr anymore. Can you still fight?" Allen asked suddenly. Saito paused his calling, but his running didn't slow down.
"It doesn't matter if I'm not the Gandalfr anymore. Louise is in trouble… I can feel it! She needs my help!"
Allen couldn't help but frown. Saito didn't seem to notice it, though.
"How can you help her if you're dead? Did you ever think about that? You already died once; don't make it permanent this time. The mage we're going to fight against is very strong."
"H-How can you tell?"
"I can sense her power from here, and it's pretty damn strong, so strong that I can't even precisely tell where it is," lied Allen. He wasn't really sure about it, but he had a few guesses as to why she was here. Sheffield in his realm had actively searched for the wielders of the void after bring branded herself. It became her obsession, and cost the lives of many people he cared about. If she really was after Louise, he didn't want what happened to him to happen to Saito.
So the least he could do was draw her away, and introduce himself personally.
"Man, you Rub Al' Khali mages are amazing. You can sense magic power? That's awesome!"
"Well, it's going to be less awesome if they die before we find them!"
Saito was about to comment again, but a bright green flash blinded them. Crying out in surprise, the two swordsmen reactively slid to a stop with their hands above their eyes. As the pain and blindness subsided, Saito gasped in shock as Allen grit his teeth.
The summoning portal had appeared before him.
"W-what the? Is that the summoning portal?" Saito asked. Allen didn't answer, but instead swam with calculations, his mind weighing the options.
"Louise must be trying to summon again... And it looks like her new partner is meant to be Allen," added Derflinger, his voice grave with concern. Allen nodded and Saito frowned.
Saito loved Louise. There was no doubt about that in Derflinger's mind, and while he isn't surprised Saito wasn't chosen again, he found it strange that this mysterious boy was the next candidate for Gandalfr. A boy, probably a mage, claiming to be from Rub al' Khali, of all places? Something wasn't adding up. If he was worthy, then why wasn't he summoned the first time?
Saito on the other hand, was distraught. His heart twisted with a sick hope that Allen would refuse the summoning, knowing deep down that he wanted to be summoned again himself. He believed that he was the one for Louise, both as a lover and as a familiar. He didn't want anyone else to take that away from him. If Allen walked through that portal, Saito felt that he would lose his reason to live.
Allen knew this portal belonged to Louise; the evidence was all there. His first reaction was to think positive. The Gandalfr could be an additional weapon in his quest for power. He would have vast connections thanks to Louise, and with a little negotiating, he could find the locations of the Halkeginia spirits much faster.
But with all power comes a price. Allen knew too well of the dangers of the branding; the danger of the runes twisting his mind to obey his master without question. He had broken it once, but that took considerable time and funds, both of which he did not have. Not only that, he felt that the power would chain him to this realm, which was something he didn't want. He was here strictly for the Ancient Dragon.
And to be honest, that was all he truly cared about.
"Indeed... But to be honest, I have my doubts about it. Being a familiar may cause... Many problems, so to speak, for myself."
"W-what do you mean?" Saito asked, feeling his hopes rise up. "You don't want to become Louise's familiar?"
Allen shook his head. With a gentle push and a smile, Allen urged Saito forward. Saito smiled as well.
"I'll see you on the other side?" Allen asked. Saito chuckled.
"Thank you, Allen. This means a lot to me," said Saito, feeling the uneasiness in his heart subside. He felt selfish, deep down, but he was glad that Allen had at least come to the choice on his own. Despite his feelings, if Allen had wanted to go, he wouldn't have stopped him. Allen nodded.
"Go. I'll follow soon after."
As the portal closed behind Saito, Allen let out a soft breath, calming himself and moving away from where Sheffield was. He sensed her confusion for a brief moment, no doubt from the summoning. Regaining familiars was unheard of as far as he knew. He clenched his fists around the hilt of his longsword, sat down, and drew a sigil on the floor. It was a serpentine dragon, its wings outstretched and its tail swirling downward like a snake in movement. Cutting his hand open, Allen poured his blood onto the sigil and watched it flare a bright red, then disappearing from the ground and reappearing high in the sky.
"Come for me, witch."
-Mother and Son-
"There's something special about you, boy," said Sheffield. She was ecstatic with the result of Louise's summon. Though it we shocking to see the same familiar summoned again, she was glad the Gandalf had returned. The pieces were slowly returning to the board. She was about to comment further, when a bright red symbol appeared in the sky. All words afterward fell upon deaf ears as Sheffield stared at the symbol with awe.
"That insignia… but why are they here?!"
Gritting her teeth, Sheffield took one last look at the Gandalf and his master. She scoffed.
"It seems that I am being summoned. We will have to finish this at a later time. Goodbye, Gandalf," said Sheffield, retreating into the shadows. She disabled her magic holding her gargoyles together, letting the stone warriors fall to ash. She then quickly called her Manta Ray, taking flight.
As she reached the source of the symbol, she saw a figure sitting underneath a tree, a Falchion in hand. She couldn't make out the person's facial features in the shadows, but she could definitely tell the person was male, so she landed with caution.
"Brother, what are you doing here?"
The figure gave out a small chuckle, shaking his head. His voice sounds different from before… Had it truly been that long since they saw each other?
"I'm not your brother, Sheffield, but… I am part of the family.
Stepping out of the shadows, Sheffield blinked with shock as she stared at the boy before her. It was like looking into a mirror, the boy sharing her features on a terrifying scale, making the differences stick out. Though they had the same hair, his was cut short towards his shoulders like she did when she was younger. Though they had the same face, the markings under his eyes had the left streak reach down to the middle of his cheek. Though they had the same eyes, his bore an intense rage, as opposed to her playful stare.
"What's wrong? Speechless?" The boy spoke, giving a savage grin. He began to walk around her in a circle, swinging the sword in his hands lazily. Sheffield's eyes narrowed.
"Who are you? How are you able to use my family's magic?"
The boy quirked an eyebrow mockingly, making her grit her teeth.
"What, the great Myoznitnirn can't figure out a simple matter? Such a shame, I was told that you were the mightiest of the four void familiars," replied the boy. Sheffield flared with anger. "I already told you I'm part of the family."
"Family or not, you dare mock the power of the Myoznitnirn?!"
"Wrong, I dare mock the one who wields it, and poorly I might add. What's your crazy bastard of a master thinking, sending you on this wild goose chase?"
"How dare you speak of—" Sheffield started, but a voice within her mind cut her off.
Sheffield, retreat for now.
"W-What? But master Joseph—"
There is no need to confront him yet. This is a rather unexpected, but exciting piece to the board… we must take the time to find out why he is here.
The silence stretched on for several minutes, the boy waiting patiently. He eyed her like a hawk, ready to strike at any moment as she contemplated her master's orders. She didn't want to disobey, but at the same time she needed to know who this boy was. She searched her memory of all her brothers and sisters, but recalled none who looked like him.
Reluctantly, she calmed herself.
"It seems my master has plans for you. I will let you go this time, but the next time we meet we will be enemies, and I will find out what you're doing here, family or not."