A/N: God, I am so sorry. I thought that it was going to be easy writing, because I could go back to Uni campus and brainstorm there. But like, a second wave hit back in… fucking JUNE (HOLY SHIT) and I just, got locked in the dorms instead of roaming free and that just… that just killed it. But here, a chapter where I play with the narrative by not explaining/showing the thing people wanted by showing another thing that some people wanted (Mostly me.)
"I guess there's no fish to bite today…" An elderly man muttered as he slowly sat up from his spot. He pulled back the fishing line out from the water and reached down towards the small cup of worms that he had brought with him.
As he got to his feet, the man looked out into the lake in front of him. It was a very beautiful lake, the water was a deep blue color. The sun, or moon depending on the time, would reflect perfectly on the water's surface.
The only thing that marred its beauty was the sight of roofs that would peek out from the water's surface. If he squinted a bit, he could even see a church bell in the distance.
After packing up his things, the old man began his long trek back to his cabin.
As he was walking the familiar path, a rather concerning figure was walking towards him.
From how they were on a horse, wore a fancy purple robe, and the bright color of their hair, he could tell that they were a Noble.
As they drew closer, close enough that he could see that it was a young woman, the old man grabbed the tip of his hat and pulled it down slightly while giving a small bow "Fine morning, my Lady," He spoke politely as to not offend her.
The horse stopped moving, and the old man felt his heart jump into his throat when he could feel the eyes staring at him from her elevated spot. Immediately he stared at the ground, hoping to avoid direct eye contact.
He waited, knowing that running wouldn't really do anything, and hoped that she was just a little… unsatisfied with his simple greeting.
After a couple of seconds of nothing happening, the old man carefully looked up from the ground and turned to the young lady on the horse.
With how the sun was shining behind her, it caused her face to almost be hidden in shadow. But that didn't stop him from seeing the cold stare in her orange eyes.
In fact, she seemed to be glaring at him so hard that they were glowing.
He swallowed the spit in his mouth as the young lady continued to stare him without a word.
Then she closed her eyes, before opening them again.
The glare was gone. A dismissive look replaced it, one that was thankfully rather familiar to the old man.
"Is Ragdorian Lake up ahead?" She asked.
"Y-Yes, My Lady," He stammered. And before he could say anything else, she rode past him without another word.
Watching the retreating figure, the old man scratched his head with his fishing pole. He shook his head "Whatever, as long as I don't get in trouble." He walked away.
Unaware of the look of anger present on the face of the Noble.
[Scene]
More than a few of the guards in New Albion's castle moved when they saw the look on the face of Jean-Jacques Wardes, serious and stoic as he usually did. But there was a hint of… excitement in his eyes, that caused those that were used to the Noble to move away as he approached them.
The rest of the guards that had followed him looked the same. There was an energy in their body that they struggled to hold back.
As they approached the main hall, the Noble turned his head over his shoulder to give the rest of the guards a look. They all nodded at once, and dispersed, moving towards the barracks of the castle. One of them stayed behind, only to hand Wardes a messenger bag.
He grabbed with tightly, and nodded his thanks.
With a twirl of his cape, the Noble continued forward with a purpose.
He stopped as he stood before the door to Cromwell, the Emperor of New Albion's room was guarded by two, who's eyes looked empty. The moment he took a step closer, they focused on him immediately. Their hands gripped their spears tight enough that their knuckles turned while, while their bodies looked ready to jump at any moment.
They were not mages, nor were they particularly large or strong. But, from what he knew of the abilities of Cromwell, they were dangerous due to how uncaring they were of their own life. The spell having erased all fear and thoughts, only to act out the will of those that held power over them.
Wardes spoke clearly and calmly "I am here to bring a report to Cromwell."
The tension in their bodies vanished, and then once more they turned into the focus less human statues that they were.
Wardes stepped inside.
Briefly he was aware of the cloaked being that had upgraded the fleet, but it was at the window staring outside into the sun. His focus went to Cromwell, the Emperor looking much more relaxed than the last time he was here.
Cromwell looked up from his papers, and when he saw the look in the eyes of the Noble he allowed an ever larger smile to surface.
"I figure that the information gathering was a success?" He asked.
He nodded, and placed the messenger bag onto the table. The Emperor gleefully moved around some of the documents, and allowed Wardes to take out and place down the contents on the table.
Notes from his own personal observation, notes from his guards, and to the surprise of the Emperor, a map. One that, when Wardes unfurled, revealed quite a lot of the area surrounding Hallow Nest.
"Oh my," Cromwell spoke as he feasted over the details "It must've taken you quite a lot to get this kind of information."
Wardes let out a chuckle, and shook his head. "No, your excellency. It was rather easy; as it seems that the Insects are dumb enough to just sell these maps to anyone who can afford them." The smile did drop into a frown "It's so common that some of them are willing to sell them at a marked up price."
"Oh?" Cromwell raised an eyebrow "You had the Insect's currency?"
Once more, Wardes shook his head "No, they apparently accept human money."
Cromwell let out a laugh "At least that means we'll have something useful to loot after we destroy that wretched kingdom!"
That made the Noble smile "I never expected exterminators needing to loot the remains of whatever pest that they killed for their pay."
Cromwell looked at the Noble "Fear not Wardes, you yourself will be rewarded most handsomely."
There was a pause, before Wardes' face turned serious "I am very flattered, your excellency. However, I wish to make one final request before we discuss our plans more in depth."
Cromwell's smile dropped and he gave a silent nod.
"The leader of Hallow Nest turned out to be a 'Queen', her name is Hornet." Wardes informed.
He was aware of the robed figure looking away from the mirror to glance at the two, but did nothing else. He ignored it, and continued.
"I wish to be the one to execute her, if you are willing to give me the opportunity."
He would've noticed the more obvious shift from the robed figure, if he wasn't more preoccupied by the grin on Cromwell's face.
The Emperor smiled and shook his head "Very well, for one such as you that would be the greatest of rewards."
Wardes smiled "Thank you."
As Cromwell looked over the map, his eyes glinted in excitement. "And to make things even better, we even have a path from Tarbes all the way to the main heart of the city," Once more he laughed "I do hope our soldiers enjoy wine!"
[Scene]
She approached the lake, the blue waters reflecting the sunlight from above.
With a tug at the reigns, the horse came to a stop.
She descended from the saddle, making sure to take her bag with her as she did, and walked forward confidently towards the edge of the lake.
The sight of blue water stretched as far as one could see. And if one looked closer, they could spot the buildings that the lake had swallowed whole.
But such things were no concern to her.
Instead, her interest lied in what was beneath the waters.
For a moment, she simply contemplated on walking towards the bottom of the lake. Uncaring of her own inability to breath underwater, or to maintain a steady bubble of air to keep her alive.
But, Montmorency stopped herself from killing herself in such a stupid manner. Shaking her head to clear away such a dangerous idea, the blonde Water Mage simply reached into her bag.
She pulled out two items of importance. A glass vial, and Robin her trusty Familiar.
The Frog looked up at it's master, having just woken up from the nap it was taken, and let out a croak at her direction.
It met with her gaze, staring down at the Familiar with a rather intense look in her eyes.
She reached out towards it with her other hand.
"Hope you had a good nap Robin," Montmorency smiled as she used a finger to pet the Frog. It croaked happily in response.
Carefully she set it onto the ground, just at the edge of the lake. Her hand moved to her palm, her nails touching the skin, before she shook her head and reached into her pouch once more to pull out a small needle.
Without flinching she pricked her finger, and allowed a single drop of blood to be shed.
As it fell, and with the sun shining as bright as it did, Montmorency could not help but notice how the blood looked orange. But the second it splashed onto the back of her Familiar, it turned back red.
The Frog shook a little at the sensation, but held still.
"Go."
It shook as it heard the sudden change in the tone of the voice of its Master. It looked up at her, and wilted as her eyes suddenly grew much harsher.
"Find the Spirit of Water and call it here."
Her words were a demand, not at all expecting that the spirit it was to contact might not respond.
"I have words for it."
Without another word, she pointed towards the lake.
Ever a loyal Familiar to its Master, the Frog leaped into the water and began swimming down and down to find the Spirit of the Lake.
As the Frog disappeared from the sight, she stood there and waited.
If anyone were to approach the lake near where she was standing, they would catch the rather eerie sight of a lone young blonde lady, simply standing around. Nearly as still as a statue.
The horse that was with her, however, was more active, as the equine approached the lake to take a drink from it.
She stared at the water in front of her, the surface rippling over every little motion as the horse drank it's fill.
Each ripple seemed to shift the reflection of the blonde young lady on the water's surface.
Occasionally, the eyes of the lady in the water would shift from orange to blue.
After a moment, Robin returned. Hopping out of the lake and onto dry land. The frog hopped closer to its Master.
She paid it no mind, only watching the lake as it rippled further and further.
Until, from the middle of the lake, the water began to rise. It rose, higher and higher into the air, until she had to crane her head back to look at it.
And from that rising pillar of water, it began to morph and change its shape.
Until finally, a tall woman made of water stood in the middle of the lake. A Water Spirit of Lagdorian Lake, an ancient elemental that had lived longer than some humans could comprehend.
With how she was looking at it, even at her lower height, the young blonde was looking down at the spirit with her cold orange eyes.
[Scene]
"Thank you, once more Count Mott, for completing my request."
The Water Mage smiled at he stared up at awe at the princess, kneeling as he was the Messenger could see the beauty of the princess of his country as she acknowledged his efforts.
"It is no trouble your highness," He smiled proudly "I will do anything to ensure the prosperity of Tristain."
She nodded at his words, once more causing him to beam, "I hope there was no trouble during your trip." She spoke evenly, even as she was reading the letter in her hands.
"It is no issue," Count Mott replied "The guards you assigned have done their job well enough to keep me safe." He paused, before he grimaced "And the small issue of the Orcs in the area were handled by… the locals in the area."
Henrietta raised an eyebrow "Are you referring to the Insects that live near the vicinity of the cave that leads to Hallow Nest?
"Yes, your highness."
She let out a hum as she continued to read the letter. Every so often, her eyes would shift to the other document in her hands, the one that was actually supposed to help translate whatever gibberish the Insect's had wrote.
"Tell me Count Mott," she spoke again "How is Hallow Nest? I, as well as many others, have not had the chance to see such the Insect Kingdom. Only forming alliances with those we can meet, and those who can send their messages to their King."
The Messenger once again grimaced "It is… unique, your highness." He answered "The buildings, as they were written in the books, are tall. The area around, filled with the Lumaflies that illuminate the city of Grapevine."
"And the inhabitants?"
"Terrifying, I didn't expect to see such horrifying cr-" Count Mott stopped as he realised what he was doing.
Fortunately, all the princess did was glare at him from behind the letter in her hands. Her disappointing gaze, nearly made him wilt and apologise. But he held his tongue.
When he said nothing else, her eyes turned back to the letter and asked one more question "And what of the King of Hallow Nest?" Her eyes narrowed as she looked back and forth between the paper and the translating document "This… King Hornet?"
"She is a Queen, your highness." Count Mott struggled as he corrected the princess. From the look of surprise on her face, he was glad that he had not insulted her. Still he kept his head down in respect "And from the little she spoke to us, she is very… brief. She speaks what is needed, and after we finished sending the letter of invitation, and her scribe had written hers to send to you. She sent us away, without another word."
"So she's a Queen," Henrietta said.
"Indeed, but she is not a match for your splendour, your highness." Count Mott smiled, and then wilted back when she saw another glare from the princess.
Her delicate fingers folded the letter, and the documents that helped to translate it, neatly into a small square and placed it by her arm-rest. "I appreciate your loyalty and love towards Tristain Count Mott. But be careful that you love for it, doesn't draw ire from those who are meant to be allies."
[Scene]
"I was called here, by the blood of the Montmorency family." The Water Spirit spoke, her voice echoing even in the open area. Her voice was not just a single one, numerous voices and tones of those that had formed connections and pacts with the ancient being, mixed together to form an amalgamation of voices.
Her eyes never moved, but anyone could feel the gaze of the spirit as they fell upon them. And the gaze fell to the blonde young lady that stood at the edge of the lake.
"And although I see the youngest of the Montmorency, and her blood was what summoned me," The gaze on the young blonde grew in pressure, enough that even the Familiar and the horse that stood nearby could feel it "She is not fully in control of herself."
The blonde lady continued to stare at the spirit.
The surface of the water rippled, as the Water Spirit asked "Who are you, to take control of those who had made their pacts with me?"
Finally, the blonde young lady lifted her eyes orange eyes, and for the first time since it had appeared, she acknowledged the Water Spirit. She spoke.
YOU SPEAK SO CONFIDENTLY, FOR SUCH A WHELP OF A EXISTENCE.
The rippling water stopped the moment the voice escaped the lips of the young blonde, before they suddenly grew even more eratic. The unchanging aquatic form of the Water Spirit similarly rippled in response to the voice. Her form broke as it heard the voice.
A voice that had long vanished from this world.
The young blonde took a step closer to the water, her orange eyes now glowing. She cared not for what was in front of her, almost stepping onto the frog that was supposed to be her Familiar.
The moment her foot neared the edge of the water, the moment it could have touched it.
It retracted. The water visibly lowering as it drew away from the young woman.
She stopped, her eyes glancing down at the wet ground that she stood onto now that the water had receded back. Her eyes flicked back upwards to the spirit, her form still rippling as before.
Until suddenly, it stopped. The water calmed, and once more it took the simple shape of a woman made of water.
"I never expected to see you once more," There was emotion in the amalgamation of voices, instead of the flat tone that it held once before. "You had vanished so completely, that I thought that impossible had happened."
The blonde eyes narrowed.
DO YOU THINK ME SO EASILY ERASED? HOW YOUNG ARE YOU TRULY, TO BELIEVE SUCH A THING?
Once more the aquatic form ripple. But it lasted much shorter, no moment than a mere moment.
The gaze fell onto the young lady "When even the White Root and Pale Wyrm could not be sensed, I had assumed the worst."
Those eyes glowed brighter at the names that were said, but no other action was taken.
The aquatic ripple once more, but instead of breaking apart.
Instead, the Water Spirit lowered her head and bowed to the young blonde.
"It is an honor to see you once more." The Ancient elemental spirit spoke to the blonde Water Mage.
For a brief moment, those cold orange eyes softened at the words, before they turned cold once more.
"However, as much as it is an honor. I do not condone your actions," Slowly the water rose just a bit, the edge of it nearly touching the shoes of the blonde "The pact between her family and mine, I cannot simply allow you to subvert it."
The cold look grew as she sneered.
I CARE NOT FOR YOUR PACT WITH YOUR VESSELS. I MERELY REQUIRE YOU TO DO ONE SIMPLE THING.
The blank face of the Water Spirit continued to stare at her.
The blonde pointed a finger at the elemental.
RECALL MY NAME, AND BRING ME BACK FROM THE DEPTHS OF OBLIVION.
"And why do you require such assistance for an act that would be so simple for you?" The Water Spirit asked, earning a glare from the blonde "Your name still exists in the world, your form still recognised with statues that remained erected in your honor."
The sneer turned into a snarl.
IT DOES NOT MATTER! DO AS I SAY SPIRIT, AND RECALL MY NAME ONCE MORE!
The spirit stopped her questioning, her aquatic features rippling at the angry tone. After a moment, her form returned to normal, and slowly it nodded its head.
"Very well."
The snarl on the blonde's face vanished, as the Water Spirit's mouth moved.
And spoke Her name.
[Scene]
Kirche's eyes opened wide, she turned to Louise.
The Valliere didn't even notice the look in the Germanian's eyes as her hand reached out towards her. When her hand was close, Louise's eyes glanced towards her as it grabbed her shoulder.
"I've got an idea!"
Pink eyes narrowed into a glare "I told you we aren't putting that into the speech! It's supposed to celebrate both Tristain and Germania."
The red head pouted as she drew her hand away "You're no fun Zero."
[Scene]
If the stillness of the blonde while waiting for the Water Spirit to show up was eerie, the absolute statue-like state that she entered when the Water Spirit spoke Her name was twice as bad.
For near a minute, she didn't move. Her orange eyes, glowing even brighter than before, simply stared forward at the Water Spirit's own.
Those eyes burned their gaze into the elemental creature.
…
And that was all that happened.
The blonde blinked.
WHAT HAPPENED?
She looked down at her own hands.
WHY…?
They reached her face, and without hesitation she raked her nails across over it.
YOU RECALLED MY NAME, SPOKE IT OUT TO THE WORLD, TO THE AIR, TO THE WATER, TO THE EARTH.
Her breathing grew faster and faster.
SO WHY AM I STILL TRAPPED?
She asked the question, not even noticing how the water of the lake had risen once more. And in mere moments, where she had just been standing on mud, the waters reached past her knees. Her Familiar and horse moved away from the rising waters.
WHY AM I SO LIMITED? I CAN HEAR THE VOICES OF THOSE THAT KNOW MY NAME. I CAN FEEL THEIR MEMORIES OF MY BEING. I CAN FEEL THOSE THAT LIVED BEFORE I VANISHED, THOSE WHO STILL REMEMBER WHEN THEY ALLOWED ME TO CARE FOR THEM.
The Water Spirit moved closer to the blonde.
I CAN'T EVEN REACH YOU. YOU WHO SPOKE MY NAME DIRECTLY.
SO… WHY…?
"For whatever the reason," the amalgamation of voices was closer now "I have done what you have requested. And even I am surprised of what occurred."
The water was rising even higher, soon it reached her chest.
"I was even ready to welcome back your union; however primitive you would draw us back." The water grew restless "I remember the time when your mind filled mine and our kind, the safety that you gave us." The water started to shift "But if you cannot do so, then you have been locked away so thoroughly, that not even calling out for your name can draw you back from oblivion. Your presence locked away in such a manner, that not even your name can spread."
The blonde finally noticed the rising water level. Her eyes shot open, as she tried to move her hand to the wand on her hip.
The girl could not use magic without a catalyst, no matter how much she could empower her with her own knowledge and abilities, the limitations of those she controlled could not be overcome.
"I can only figure of one thing that can lock you away so thoroughly."
Tendril of water rose around the blonde girl, reaching into the air before they curled inwards and turned towards her.
As they did, the words of the spirit rung through her head.
The tendrils locked her limbs, tying her down and wrapping her up in aquatic chains. She stood there, trapped and held in place, a familiar feeling. All she could do was stare down at the water.
Her true image looked back at her.
I SEE NOW…
"Now, please release the Montmorency from your control, or I will supress it myself."
She took her eyes away from her reflection, and gave a final glare to the Water Spirit.
There were no further words before she was dragged into the water by the tendrils, her body not even making a splash. The girl disappearing into the water to hide away from her influence, just as it has happened so many times before.
Once more, the lake was silent. The only thing present, was the Water Spirit looming over it.
Montmorency suddenly broke the surface of the water with a cry. She scrambled as the water ran over her face, nearly entering her mouth and nose. The Water Mage paddled in the depths she was in, until finally she was near a shallow spot.
It took her a couple of seconds to regain control of her breathing, the blonde staring up in absolute confusion at the fact that she had managed to pass out while she was summoning the Water Spirit. Her eyes looked up, and she could only let out a choked gasp.
The water around her splashed as she tried to stand up, not even caring that she soaked from head to toe.
Faced with such a being, a mere human could only do one thing.
[Scene]
Her eyes, full of rage, turned to the Familiars as her mouth opened.
"Would you stop doing that!" Marion, a simple maid to Tristain Academy, scolded the two horned Familiar as she jabbed it with the other end of a broom.
The moment she did, the four horned Familiar dashed and struck with whatever weapon that it had. It not only managed to slice off the tip of the end of the broom, but it also knocked it right out of her hands, and into the air.
She let out a cry as she stumbled backwards and fell onto the grass.
The moment she did, the two horned Familiar walked up to her and then shoved the rat carcasses in her face again.
Her hand lashed out and tried to slap it aside, but it took a step back, and then moved back in just as she finished her swing and once more the carcasses was shoved into her face.
"Argh!"
[Scene]
"Water Spirit of Lagdorian lake!" She called out to it, bowing "I Montmorency Margarita La Fère de Montmorency have called you here with my Familiar with my blood, please answer that you remember me, in a way I can understand."
An amalgamation of words came from the Water Spirit, words that were thousands of years old that she could not even hope to comprehend. Slowly but surely, words that she could understand started to reach her ears as the languages of old faded away. Until…
"-So easily. Then, the one that stands before me is the human of the family who shared an oath with me." Her words were toneless, simple speaking the words without any feeling. "With your mind as your own, and your liquid that fills your body, I remember you Montmorency."
The blonde mage sighed and smiled "Thank you Water Spirit." She cleared her throat "I require something from you, Water Spirit." She paused, glancing at the face of the elemental being "Something important, if you are willing."
An expressionless face met her own.
She gulped down her saliva "A part of your body, to brew a potion to cleanse the mind, is what I require from your Water Spirit. Would you be so kind to allow me a small part of it?"
The Water Spirit stared into her blue eyes with her aquatic ones, never changing and never blinking. "Tell me," she spoke "What being has caused you to search for the use my tears to cleanse the mind?"
"A dastardly being claiming to be one of your own." Montmorency answered back "A creature, who's summoner dares to call it a Water Spirit. Yet, instead it's body is as black as tar with no voice to speak. It has casted a spell that plagues my mind with thoughts not my own, something that I require your tear to cleanse it."
To see the large aquatic figure tilt its head at her words, nearly caused her heart to jump to her chest. Especially with how presumptuous her words her.
"I-If you are a willing of course!" She quickly added.
Words incomprehensible to her ears suddenly could be heard from the Water Spirit once more. Then it stopped.
She held out a hand, and without a word, a small stream of water from her own body peeled away.
The blonde mage quickly reached into her pouch to pull out a vial.
It entered smoothly and without an interruption.
Montmorency stared at the object in her hands, such a powerful, and expensive, alchemical ingredient that she had earned just because she asked. She lifted her head and nodded her head shakily "T-Thank you!"
"The creatures that claim themselves to be my kind," The Water Spirit spoke again "Bring them here, as repayment for my tear."
"N-Now?!"
"Until before your death, or the death of those creatures." The sunlight glinted of the surface of her aquatic skin, causing her body to flash an array of colors "I am curious of the being that casted the spell on you. I would like to meet them."