Chapter 4: Another chance
3 years ago
"So we're hitting the farm?" Nikolai asked checking his Kalashnikov again. He was against the clock or at least that's what he thought. Running in right now would be dumb. He needed to at least have enough food and ammo for the trip to and back.
"Aye, these bandits have gotten too close to Cordon" said Wolf. An old grizzled man in his late 50's the old dog had survived far longer than most and had the scars to show for it. Right now it was only him and a bunch of rookies pushing into the camp. If they were smart they would play it tactically if not most of them would be gunned down before even setting foot inside.
"Well better get this over with" Nikolai said splitting off the group and taking aim from a nearby hill covered in bushes.
It was carnage. They spotted Wolf's group rather quickly and a battle ensued. With very few places to take cover in most were on the ground behind small rocks or trees. Those who weren't so lucky got turned into pin cushions.
"Nikolai we need backup" Wolf hollered through the radio. Nikolai steadied his aim. Took a deep breath and looked down the scope. In one shot one of the bandit's heads was gone.
The bandits looked dazed as they fired all around trying to wash him out of his hiding spot.
With cold determination he took each shot. Making each bullet count. One by one the bandits fell as the loners pushed slowly.
After half an hour of fighting the shooting subsided. The bodies of several loners littered the field and the inside of the farm. With the mission done Nikolai scavenged any scraps of munition and objects of interest from both loners and bandits.
The concept of respecting the dead had no meaning in the zone. Those who were dead could not use their gear so why waste it?
"Another group of rookies dead" Wolf said snapping him out of his thoughts.
"It is what it is" Nikolai said nonchalantly.
"Your father trained you well" he complimented.
"So I've heard... Sidorovich was right. Good loners are a dime a dozen" Nikolai mused.
"The ones that survived today will have hopefully learned something. But remember kid even with training you're considered a rookie"
"I know, don't care about what they call me"
"Is that so? Hmm you remind me of my daughter..."
"In what way?"
"She said the same thing on her first mission." Nikolai raised his brow. Female stalkers were rare but not unheard of. This environment was full of men who haven't seen a woman in a while. It was dangerous. Then again Nikolai didn't care, if someone was worth their salt it didn't matter what they had between their legs.
"How did she convince you to let her come?"
"Much like your sister from what I heard. Iron will and really annoying the hell out of their fathers."
Nikolai tensed up a bit. The mention of his sister was a taboo. He loved her to bits. She had been like a mother after the death of their mother.
"I see..."
"Sore subject? I apologize. Hey would you mind helping me drag the bodies to the fire? Better burn them up before they start attracting predators."
Nikolai nodded slowly getting up. The profit from this run would be positive thankfully. If lady luck was on his side maybe he would be able to venture to monolith controlled areas.
The burning was a solemn moment for any stalker. Even if their personal belongings were looted their bodies would be given one last goodbye. The process was long and arduous. Nikolai quickly realized how many of the survivors had a dead look on their faces. Some might have been friends, he really didn't know nor he wanted to get involved.
As the sun slowly hid Nikolai retreated to the roof of one of the buildings. Making sure no one was going to bother him he used his bag as a pillow and kept his weapon close to him as he slowly closed his eyes.
Present
Nikolai was floating in a dark void. He felt cold. A reminder of home when you didn't have a fire. It all felt surreal. He thought he may have died but if that were the case wouldn't he be back where he began the day?
"Nik...o...lai..." A distorted voice said. Nikolai tried turning to no avail. He felt something cold moving up his leg he tried shaking it up as the felt himself being consumed and he felt the air leave his lungs.
Nikolai woke up, cold sweat dripping down his forehead. It had been a nightmare. One that felt too real, what had that been about?
He saw he was in some sort of pijamas in a room that looked out of a fantasy book. It looked so luxurious... The bed felt like heaven, something he had never experienced. The warmth was unreal. He felt like a king!
He looked out of the window, it was still pretty early, by his calculations maybe 5 am. He checked his chest and saw he didn't have any marks. Surprising considering he had been open like a can. He looked around the room. His backpack was set on a nearby chair and his suit. His suit looked brand new, they had cleaned it! Whoever they were they got the blood, grime, and other unspeakable horrors off his armor. He slowly tried getting up. His legs wobbly as he had to grab on to the nearest furniture.
This feeling was nothing new for him. Deciding that it would be rude to break out of wherever he was he decided to just try to do some morning exercises. Although lightheaded he would not let it get in the way of keeping sharp, hadn't stopped him before it sure wouldn't now. Just in case he looked for his revolver and kept it near. Best case scenario he was saved by Emilia or Reinhart, worst-case scenario that assassin had taken him captive.
Although at first he had struggled he had finally managed to get back into rhythm. He checked his bag and sure enough they didn't touch any of his belongings. As the sun started to rise he took off his shirt and continued his exercises.
After a few hours he was finally finishing with some pushups. He would really need a shower after this... He heard the door open, knowing he could theoretically dive for the gun and shoot he kept going.
"Sister, sister, our guest is indecent" he heard a soft feminine voice say.
"Sister, sister our guest is exposing himself to us" another voice replied. He finished his pushups and looked at the girls. They seemed to be twins, one with pink hair one with blue hair. They were... To be honest beautiful to Nikolai and the maid outfit wrapped it all in a nice bow.
"I'm doing my morning routine, you should know to knock before entering a room" Nikolai said jokingly.
"We apologize" they said in synch as they bowed. Their coordination was a bit unnerving to say the least.
"No worries, I might need a shower though... But before that would you two beautiful maids tell me where I am?"
"You're in master Roswall's estate" replied the pink-haired girl.
"How did I get here?"
"Miss Emilia brought you back" they both said. Nikolai smiled, the girl didn't know him but still brought him here and gave him a bed. A true angel in disguise he thought.
Speaking of the devil he saw Emilia walk through the door. As soon as she saw him he saw her go red and cover her eyes. So pure... Quickly he put on his shirt and stood up.
"Miss Emilia I appreciate the help" he said calmly.
"N-no worries" she slowly moved her hands. "You saved me and got my insignia back. I'm in your debt."
"Think of it as nothing" he said dismissively. "What happened after I blacked out?"
"I healed you and brought you back to the manor."
"I appreciate it. But how did you drag me and my things? It isn't exactly light."
"Reinhart helped me. He sent his best wishes." Nikolai smirked upon hearing this. He seemed like a powerful swordsman a good friend to have in a world like this.
"I'm also in your debt!" A chipper voice said, he immediately recognized it as Puck.
"No worries Puck" Nikolai said.
"I'm in your debt, is there anything I can offer?" The spirit asked. Nikolai thought about it. Maybe he could teach him magic? It would certainly be useful to have another trick up his sleeve.
"I would appreciate it if you could teach me how to use magic?" He asked politely, they all looked surprised. He had forgotten how magic was pretty much universal here and so he went on to explain what he had last time. After a few minutes he finished and saw how surprised they all looked.
"You hail from dangerous lands" Puck said.
"That I do... This has been a nice change of pace... Anyways where can I take a shower? A bit sweaty as you can see" he said jokingly.
"Ram, Rem could you guide our guest to the bathhouse?" Emilia asked sweetly. Wait bathhouse? He quickly put two and two together, there was no normal shower for him to use. Well as long as the water was nice he really didn't care anything is better than freezing.
They both nodded and bowed. Nikolai grabbed his suit with him and his revolver and walked out the door bidding goodbye to Emilia.
The bathhouse was heaven... Warm water, it was a luxury he hadn't had in a while. He almost felt like crying with how nice it felt. A lot had happened, he died and came back, he almost died again, he met two twins with very peculiar hair and an elf with a heart of gold. After finishing Nikolai slowly got dressed in his suit. Holstering his revolver he stepped out and saw Rem and Ram waiting for him.
"Lord Roswall has asked for your presence" they both said.
"Well I can't keep my host waiting... Take me to him" Nikolai said. As he followed the twins he realized how impressive the Manor was. It reminded him of those old books with pictures of places like Versailles. Nobility sure did know how to live.
Finally they arrived at what he thought was the dining room. At the other end of the table was a rather peculiar man. If Nikolai were to describe him he would say he looked like a clown. But those eyes... They were of a man that shouldn't be taken lightly. Nikolai took mental notes of this fact, next to him sat Emilia and a small child. Her eyes had butterflies instead of pupils which surprised Nikolai, she was wearing a large fluffy pink dress and blonde hair in drill form. Man was this place odd.
"Welcoooome" the man said. Nikolai fought the urge to laugh at the rather weird way he talked. His best guess was this was Roswall and to be honest he really didn't want to piss him off.
"You must be lord Roswall. I appreciate the hospitality" Nikolai said politely.
"Indeeeeed. And you must be Nikolai... And it is me who is in your deeeebt. You saved Emilia, you got her insignia back and killed her would-be assassin. Ask anything and I shall deliver" he said. Nikolai thought about it. He had Puck go teach him magic and even possibly Emilia. This place was... To put it simply heaven. Nikolai had never felt what luxury was like but this sure as hell looked like it. This unknown land was a mystery but maybe... Just maybe... He could stop running for once and settle down, at least for now.
"As you might have heard I hail from a distant land. I have no clue where I am. But this is the nicest place I've ever slept in. I would like for you to give me a job as a bodyguard for Emilia." He said not hesitating. While the elf girl seemed to be a trouble magnet he could not deny the fact she lived like a queen. If he could stay around her he could finally have a place to sleep without the fear of being robbed or mauled alive.
"You want to be her kniiiiight?" Roswall asked. Knight? Well how hard could it be? You don't bring a knife to a gunfight. He killed that assassin, he will hopefully have magic soon he should be able to handle anything.
"You could say so. My weapons do seem to be surprisingly effective here. I should be able to handle most threats."
"Aaaaah yes. Your weapons... Pretty impressive from what I've heeeeeeard."
"My guns do need ammunition though and I don't have infinite amounts of it. Is there anywhere where I could possibly make them?"
"Mayyybe the forge in the nearby village?" Roswall said. Nikolai had picked up the invaluable skill of creating homemade bullets. They were not military-grade but they would still stop people in their tracks.
"Very wellll. I grant you this wish..." Roswall said. "Mr..."
"Nikolai, Nikolai Kyznetsov"
"Mr. Kyznetsov I assume you don't know about the current situation in the kingdom?"
"Not at all, I take it it's bad?"
"Indeed, you see the kingdom doesn't have a kiiiiing"
Roswall explained the current situation. The king was dead, the line of succession a mess as there were many candidates to the throne Emilia being one of them
"So you seeee. Your appearance puts us in quite the dilemma."
"While I see the problem I don't care about politics. I am a stalker I search for items for a living. Political intrigue while interesting isn't my line of work." Nikolai said keeping cool. "If there is a problem just give me some money and I'll leave, being on the move wouldn't be so different from my normal routine."
"No!" Emilia protested surprising me. "I-I mean he saved me... And Puck said he didn't sense any ill intent against us..."
"Huh... I appreciate the words of confidence Puck. It may not be worth much to you but I give you my word that I really had nothing to do nor knew about the situation." Roswall stayed quiet for a moment and looked closely at Nikolai.
"Weeeeell if you say so Miss Emilia. Then I have nothing else to add."
The rest of the day had transpired without anything of importance. Nikolai had fallen in love with the food and the mansion, not that he would admit it. Finally, the time had come for the long-awaited magic training.
"So Puck where do we start," Nikolai asked. They had gone to the back yard, if you could even call it that. It was so. Big it could fit several towns and still have enough space. They sat in a gazebo, Emilia had gracefully asked to help which of course he accepted. He was her new bodyguard after all.
"Well we first have to open your gate" Puck said.
"Ahh yes my gate..." Nikolai said.
"You don't know what a gate is right?" Emilia asked giggling.
"Well you got me there, remember no magic where I come from" Nikolai said.
"Speaking of that... Nikolai, could you tell me more about where you come from?"
"Well of course, I can" Nikolai said smiling.
"A gate is the way one exudes mana to the outside. Look at it as a pathway." Puck said interrupting both of them. He snickered and continued. "That should be easy enough, after that we just need to find your affinity."
"And how do we do that?"
"Well I can do it with my tail" Puck said. He floated towards Nikolai and touched him with his appendage. Nikolai realized how soft his for was. It was like a piece of cloud! After a chant Puck spoke up again.
"Your affinity seems to be shadows or jin"
"Considering I specialize in keeping low when in artifact runs I guess it makes sense"
"We are going to start with a simple spell" Puck said. "Emilia you might want to get back in case his magic goes haywire and explodes.
"Wait what!? I might die!?" Nikolai asked truly shocked his eyes threatening to pop out.
"No it's not! Don't be so dramatic" Puck said laughing.
"Explosions normally means death or a possible loss of limbs"
"Well this isn't that type of explosion. It might hurt though"
"Good grief"
"Come on I know you can take it" Puck said not instilling confidence in Nikolai. "Extend your hand and say Shamak!"
Slowly Nikolai put his hand up and closing his eyes gave it a try. "Shamak!" One of the bushes had been completely enveloped by darkness. After a few seconds the shadows disappeared.
"Good job Nikolai!" Emilia praised as Nikolai blushed.
"Well that went better than expected" Puck said sarcastically.
"I know I'm disappointed my hand didn't explode" Nikolai said jokingly.
The evening of magic training had gone without a hitch. He had been a fast learner and had picked magic up surprisingly fast as he had with many other skills he learned from his father and fellow stalkers.
The three of them sat down and talked about the zone. Nikolai had quite the story when it came to characters in the zone. Some people really stood out. From the man who refused to go use anything but a club to the man who had a pack of dogs always at his side. There were no short of stories
"Umm Nikolai... Did you have any friends?" Nikolai's smile quickly soured. As his eyes grew a bit more dead. The atmosphere completely changed.
"I-I did" he simply replied sighting.
"I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to!"
"Don't worry, death in the zone is part and parcel" he said dismissively.
"Well I think my time is up..." Puck said yawning floating off Nikolai's head where he had taken a liking to being on.
"Bye Puck!" Nikolai said.
"See you tomorrow Nikolai, it was fun talking" he said as he vanished.
"Emilia..." Nikolai said softly.
"Y-yes?"
"Why do you hide your ears?" Nikolai had noticed how the girl made a conscious effort to hide them. The only guess he had was that she wasn't proud of her heritage.
"I- I'm half-elf" she said sadly.
"I don't follow"
"People hate elves... Thanks to the witch of envy..."
"That seems dumb" Nikolai said sighting. He stepped out of the gazebo and sat on the ground. Confused Emilia followed him and sat down next to him.
"What do you mean? They have all the right to hate me"
"Not really. I think elf ears are cute" he said winking. "The truth is... I recently met you but I have good judgment character... And let me tell you... You are one of the nicest people I've met. You're pure-hearted and kind, this land probably couldn't have a better leader."
Emilia was at a loss of words. He looked like he meant what he said. It was unheard of the hate she received had become normal. She knew it would be an uphill battle for the throne but here he was. A stranger complimenting her. He had saved her, helped her... Done so much...
"You are a strange man Nikolai" she muttered smiling.
"Eh I've been called worse" he said laughing as the sun went down.
And cut! Another chapter down. Yes this was more of a filler chapter. As a review graciously pointed out I rushed last chapter. It wasn't the best but I wanted to get something out there. I will be rewriting it at a later date I promise.When it comes to writing my passion finally came back so you can be on the look out for more chapters in the coming days! UltimateMetroMan out