Tachi and greatsword clashed in the early morning, the first rays of sunlight bathing Celdic on a new day as Rean and Laura sparred on the outskirts of the town. For anyone else that might have been a place chosen at random, just a plain field with a few trees here and there, but for the two swordsmen it held great significance as it was there that they had dueled for the first time on that fateful night months ago.
Both had released a breath of relief when they saw that that spot had not been damaged. Traces of the battle that had happened were present but nothing major and the tree they had sat against was still standing and Rean had to fight the urge to not inscribe their initials on its bark. He couldn't act that corny.
"Yesterday, before we retired to bed, I was informed that one of the soldiers I attacked passed away," Laura attacked with two swings of her sword, the first which Rean deflected and the second he evaded by stepping back.
"The one you knocked out?" She nodded in affirmation and his face took a solemn look at the information.. "And how do you feel?"
She tried to force a smile. "Well, I didn't get much sleep this night, as I am sure you've noticed."
And he indeed had. The fatigue and the weight of the matter were present in Laura's movements and he had been about to broach the subject when she spoke up. "Lay it on me, Laura. What's going on in your mind?"
"My sword feels heavy and I struggle to take the moment out of mind," she sighed and lowered her blade, letting the tip rest against the soil. "It's tiring to think of what I should've done differently, if I should've done something differently."
Rean analyzed Laura, her posture, her expression. It was like a whirlwind was going inside her and it pained him to see her so distraught, but then she lifted her sword, as if grabbing said whirlwind with her hands and forcing it to stop. Rean had been ready to comfort her, to tell her she did nothing wrong, but Laura straightened herself and the shine in her eyes returned in an instant.
"I am conflicted, there is guilt in the act of taking a life but I did what was necessary to fulfill our mission and protect our friends and thus can't bring myself to regret my actions. This is real combat and neither side can be worried about the other's well being in a conflict of life and death," she exhaled a tired breath but her posture didn't falter, her determination didn't relent. "I feel off, as if my body is not my own and I am merely watching someone else act, but this feeling shall pass. My father, General Le Guin, Fie and many others who I respect and admire have traveled his path before, and most importantly I have you to go through it with me, Rean, as such I believe I'll come to terms with this."
There was confidence in her voice like this was simply another hurdle for her and Rean knew Laura was being sincere and not just putting up a strong front. Rean was surprised by her resolve even though he knew he shouldn't be, it was one of the things he liked about her.
Laura was truly amazing.
Their sparring session continued with renewed intensity as Rean instigated Laura to push herself, he wanted to help dispel her inner unrest, letting her focus on the feeling of her sword and the action of combat. And it worked, Laura was tired, that couldn't be helped, but her movements started to carry more of her resolve as their mock fight went on.
Blades locked once again as both simultaneously had gone for a helmbreaker movement and the sword fighters locked on each other's gaze. Determination, trust, pride, in themselves and each other. Rean cocked a smile.
"Enjoying the show?" The raven haired swordsman said and both disengaged to look at the spectators that had gathered to watch them.
An excited set of hands started to applaud them. "Splendid, simply splendid! To witness such a performance between two swordmasters is truly a sight to behold!" Princess Alfin cheered as she approached them with Instructor Sara and Viscount Arseid accompanying her.
"You have my thanks, Your Highness, however both of us are far from being considered masters of our respective styles yet," Laura humbly said.
"It is true," said her father. "But you continue to grow, even now I see how much you've improved since Class VII visited Legram months ago and I can see that long road to mastery becoming shorter and shorter. And you as well, Rean, you've made leaps and bounds since our duel."
"Thank you, sir," Rean replied, allowing himself to feel a bit proud of himself. Being hailed as a hero didn't feel right but being complimented by someone like Victor Arseid was another matter altogether.
"And I must commend Instructor Valestein as well. Undoubtedly her work in guiding her students was fundamental in your growth," Victor said with a nod towards the Bracer and now was the time for Sara to hold herself to not look bashful.
"Thank you, viscount. Just doing my job… hehe," Sara cursed herself internally for that one. She sounded like a damn teenager. Mercifully for her, Alfin spoke up and took the attention away from the older woman before anyone noticed her faint blush.
"Watching you two almost makes me want to pick up a sword, or maybe it's less about the sword and more about the strong bond you two have with each other? Even I can see it in how you've dueled, I almost reminded me of watching Uncle Matteus and Auntie Aurier," Alfin giggled as she saw both young swordsmen get flustered, Laura more so than Rean but she reveled all the same on the fact she finally got a rise out of her friend's sister. "You two make crossing blades with one another such a romantic act."
The two young sword fighters tried to wave off the princess' words and as they did so a slightly old memory popped in Sara Valestein's mind and she grinned a wolfish grin. "You don't know half of it, Your Highness. Did you know that during their very first field exercise, our dear Laura challenged Rean for a secret, nightly meeting to 'duel' him? Why, I'd wager it was in this very spot! If that's not romantic I don't know what is."
The Bracer watched as the princess let out an "Oh my!" with her mouth covered and Victor's eyes widened before chuckling and shaking his head, then she savored the fierce embarrassment on both of her students. Meanwhile, Laura looked at her teacher in shock for the betrayal and Sara winked playfully at her.
I shouldn't have called her a lustful drunkard, Laura thought.
"I never expected you to be so bold, Laura!" Her father teased her.
"F-father, please," the girl pleaded. "It's not what you think."
"R-right," Rean cursed his own stuttering. He shouldn't be nervous, the viscount had more than once said he approved of their relationship but he couldn't help but feel flustered under the Blademaster's gaze. "Laura just had to set me straight with my swordsmanship."
"Of course," Victor chuckled, still smiling but not with a mirthful grin of teasing the couple, but with understanding. So that's how it all started, who could've guessed…
"As much as I'd love to continue discussing Rean and Laura's night of passionate 'dueling'," Alfin teased them once more for good measure. "We came here for a reason. Well, the viscount and Instructor Sara did, I just wanted to tag along and stretch my legs after being cooped up in that ship for so long. That and I hope the presence of a member of the Royal Family can help alleviate any lingering tensions in the people of Celdic, showing them that we are not down yet. It is certainly better than Olivert pulling up his lute at the inn last night."
Despite her words, the customers of the Weathercock Inn did enjoy the performance that night… For the first hour, then the prince continued for another one hour and a half when most people had retired. Why Olivert insisted on the Olivier Lenheim persona even when everyone in the country knew it was him drove Alfin insane.
"I guess it's safe to assume there's a new mission lined up for us already," said Rean.
"Yes, the Crimson Wings has several in fact," said the viscount. "I'll fill you two in as we head to the ship."
War would not relent and the 4th Armored Division's win at the Twin Dragons Bridge and Celdic only fueled its fire as the Imperial Army looked to use its momentum for greater offensives and the Noble Alliance thirsted for revenge. Craig the Red didn't waste time in amounting an offensive towards Barehard, the noble central of the Empire and seat of provincial government being a shiny target for him; on the other hand, Kreuzen's forces began to surround the city to create a defensive barrier of panzer soldats, tanks and even airships around the city and Aurochs Fort that could not be crossed.
But that was a matter for the Imperial Army to deal with as the general had said previously, and the Courageous' crew had other business to deal with.
Smaller towns and farms out in the country suffered heavy damage due to the war, dislodging families and leaving them without a place to stay. Many had left for Celdic or tried their luck in Bareahard, although entrance in the Verdant City had become even harder after Jusis' defection, while others tried a more risky trek towards the Sutherland Province, which had been offering refuge.
That was where the Crimson Wings would come into play. After leaving Celdic, the Courageous would pick up refugees in key points established by the RMP and Imperial Intelligence Division and take them to the neutral province, saving them from having to traverse the wilderness where monsters and war awaited. While the airship couldn't enter Sutherland's air space as part of Marquis Hyarm's neutrality pledge, that didn't mean the Crimson Wings couldn't skirt its borders and leave civilians at their doorstep to be received by its army.
Meanwhile, a request from the Intelligence Division was for the investigation of possible jaeger movements between the Kreuzen and Nortia provinces in the region of the Vestia Forest. According to reports, both the Noble Alliance and the Imperial government forces had been attacked by armed assailants. Taking into consideration that jaegers were working under the Noble Alliance, the main theory was that a minor corp taking advantage of the chaos and acting like highwaymen, not that the idea of Nidhoggr, the Northern Jaegers or even Zephyr had gone rogue was entirely discarded, just very unlikely.
"And, last but certainly not least," said Viscount Arseid with a sigh to Class VII gathered at the conference room. "Miles from the Guild Branch in Legram has informed me that monsters have started to gather in the town's outskirts, a pack of highly aggressive gordis schnarr. Klaus tried to repel them with the assistance of my students but the monsters proved themselves to be too tenacious for them and they had to retreat."
Distressed upon hearing that her hometown was once again suffering under the threat of monsters, Laura was the first to speak up. "Gordis are not native from Legram, that's highly irregular. Could this be related to cryptids?"
"Miles said there was a light fog in the area so it could be possible. He also mentioned that students from Thors had arrived there yesterday, they introduced themselves as Vivi, Beryl and Loggins. I assume you're familiar with them, Laura?"
"We're acquaintances more than friends, but yes, I know them. Vivi is Linde's sister, Loggins is the vice-captain of the fencing team and Beryl is…"
"She's weird," Rean finished Laura's sentence.
"So with that in mind and taking into consideration our other priorities, we thought it best to divide our forces to tackle these issues," said Sara. "Captain Arseid will be accompanying the ship, of course, and will require assistance in handling the refugees, some might be injured or sick so I want the bulk of our team handling that as well as acting as security. I'll be handling the jaeger investigation and I want you to accompany me Gaius, I need someone with tracking skills, and Millium as well for backup in case we need to fight."
"I will do my best to assist you, instructor."
"Yay, field trip!"
"As for the issue in Legram, well, I guess it's obvious you want to handle it, right, Laura?" The swordswoman nodded. "And since there's the chance we're dealing with cryptids, Valimar would be more suited for that than handling refugees or tracking jaegers, so Rean, you're up. Which means you and Laura get to spend the entire day by yourselves, isn't that nice?"
Sara winked playfully and Rean faked a groan and hid his smirk behind his hand while his girlfriend blushed. She still counted it as a full blown victory which made it two in a row, Sara was killing it that day and it was only morning.
"Excuse me," Emma raised her hand. "But if it's possible I would like to return to Legram as well, there is something I would like to check on."
"Didn't you spend the best part of a month there, Emma? What more is there to check?" Asked Alisa.
"Yeah, why do you want to get in the way of Rean and Laura's love retreat?" Fie used the opportunity to strike, much to the swordswoman's chagrin. Was that how it was going to be now? She wouldn't mind the teasing as much if at least it wasn't in front of her father.
"I was talking to Celine and she gave me the idea for a spell that might help us get in contact with my grandmother. It's called a Water Window, which, as the name implies, uses mana infused water. We have reason to believe that the water of Lake Ebel is particularly rich in mana and while we could try using regular water, the process would take much longer and be less reliable."
Listening to the witch's explanation, Viscount Arseid stroked his chin in thought. "Interesting, our seemingly unassuming town continues to surprise."
"I'd say it's worth the try," said Sara. "Alright everyone, get yourselves ready."
With the Crimson Wings' missions properly distributed among their members, the Courageous initiated its trajectory northwest where Sara, Gaius and Millium would be dropped off before making its rounds to rescue the refugees. To facilitate their rendezvous after the requests were all over, Rean and Valimar accompanied the ship to the region where the jaeger investigation would take place instead of going straight to Legram, that way they could use the Spirit Path to pick up Sara's group and save up a lot of travel time.
Done with their preparations, Rean, Laura, Emma and Celine directed themselves to the hangar and Valimar, where a curious scene was playing out. There stood Instructor Thomas excitedly talking to, or better, at the Divine Knight, relentlessly assaulting him with questions about the War of the Lions and Emperor Dreichels.
"Were you present during the siege of the fortress of Elessar, Mister Valimar? Many nowadays it didn't even happen but recent archeological findings in the southwest of Lamarre show that indeed a building stood there, although more excavations are necessary to determine what kind it was. Oh wait wait, hold on just a moment, where are my manners, should I call you Sir Valimar instead due to your status as a Knight? Oh by the way, that brings to mind a question about the knightly order of the Septian church back in those days."
[Awakener, I require assistance.]
"I-instructor Thomas, what are you doing here?"
"Rean! Just the man I wanted to see! Last night I was made aware of this fascinating piece of living history, so as soon as I woke up I made my way over here and engaged in conversation with your companion."
Actually Rean had meant what the history teacher was doing at the ship. Surely he didn't mean to accompany them, right?
"How long has this been going on for?"
[62 minutes and 35 seconds and counting. This man is relentless and I have no answers for his many, many questions.]
"Ah crap," Rean muttered under his breath as the dark realization dawned on him. Not only Valimar a piece of history but Rean himself was now also part of that and they had just brought in a history fanatic who could prattle incessantly about the subject. He needed to move fast and shut down whatever inquiries his instructor had. "Valimar can't remember much, if anything at all about the war. Isn't that right, Valimar?" Rean said and communicated to the Divine Knight that they should not give the history teacher any rope.
"Indeed," said the Ashen Knight.
In response, Thomas' shoulders sagged and he let out a dramatic sigh. "Aww, really? But Prince Olivert said he had imparted important information about the War of the Lions."
"Just about the Divine Knights. Isn't that right?" Rean turned to the girls for support and both nodded eagerly.
"It is very difficult for a Divine Knight to retain memories from the previous conflict, instructor. Whatever they do remember comes naturally and over the course of time," Emma expertely shot down the history teacher and Rean made a mental note to buy her something nice in the future.
"I tried asking him about Saint Lianne Sandlot but unfortunately Valimar had no information on her," Laura added to the lie and Rean was thankful to have such a supportive girlfriend.
But Celine was having none of it, she knew the nature of the history teacher's nature from Emma and she would be damned if she would let Schwarzer be off the hook that easily. "I'm pretty sure Valimar could recall-" She started to say but then both Rean and Valimar lifted their right feet and stomped on the floor to a loud thud that made the ground tremble and the familiar decided she better keep her mouth shut.
"Ah, sorry about that. Just stretching out," Rean said nonchalantly while making a show of stretching his leg. "Accidents happen."
"Oh well, that is a shame, truly a shame," the older man shook his head solemnly, deeply lamenting how a deeper knowledge of the past was just out of reach. Then he startled everyone by clapping his hand and jolting up. "Well, if you do learn any facts about Emperor Dreichels and the War of the Lions, no matter how insignificant they might be, don't hesitate to tell me! I'll now procure some breakfast and ponder on the implications of Divine Knights on our country's history, see you kids later!"
Thomas waved them goodbye as he left the hangar with a spring on his step, unaware of the sigh of relief from his students. "I felt less tense when I was at the Pantagruel. Why couldn't we have come across any of the other instructors instead? Someone more chill like Makarov or Mary?"
"It is surprising how Instructor Thomas managed to escape Trista and even more baffling the fact he was the one who got a hold of the information on Fiona's kidnapping. Perhaps he is more capable than we give him credit for," said Laura.
"I wouldn't put it past Instructor Thomas bumbling his way through this war," said Rean. "You okay, Valimar?"
"His behavior was perplexing but not harmful."
"Yeah, I can imagine. Well, we've got some time to kill before we reach our destination so… Anyone up for some Blade?"
The Courageous dropped off Sara's team and after establishing that Valimar could return to that region through the Spirit Path at a later time they had designed, Rean's team was off to Legram, traveling through the septum veins regardless of what physical barriers were in their way. As they were transported, Valimar spoke to Rean through their mental connection.
[Awakener, I have an inquiry.]
"Shoot."
[Shoot?]
"It's a figure of speech. It means ask away."
[I see, a modern slang.]
"Yeah, pretty much. So, what's up? Uh, that means I'm willing to listen, by the way."
[Of that I am aware. My question is why did you tell me to not reveal the extent of Dreichels Reise Arnor and Lianne Sandlot to your romantic partner?]
The sudden question gave Rean pause, Valimar sure wasn't one to try to ease someone in before asking something. "Ah that. Honestly, I'm not really sure myself. It feels awkward I guess."
[Awkward?]
"Yeah, it's… Emperor Dreichels and Saint Lianne were in a relationship, me and Laura are in a relationship. I'm piloting his Divine Knight and Laura wants to pilot hers, even if it's not possible she still feels a connection with the Sandlot name. I hear some people are starting to call this war a new version of the War of the Lions and as far as we know Ouroboros are trying to get their hands on the Vermillion Knight, the one the False Emperor used. There are too many parallels and it feels like some sort of weird repetition of history and I'm not comfortable with that. I'd rather not have Laura worry about that either."
[Hmm…]
"Also… Saint Sandlot died in the end."
Lohengrin Castle was truly a fascinating place, Beryl could practically feel the veil between the physical and ethereal world as soon as they had reached the island and when they passed through its doors she felt it open up to her. The mansory, the furniture, everything in that castle tingled her senses for the supernatural, it was undoubtedly a place of power, she was sure of it.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
The presence of spirits wandering the corridors may have steered Beryl to reach that conclusion as well. If only Vivi wouldn't scream so much.
"We gotta go!"
And Loggins would let her properly analyze the spirits instead grabbing her by the wrist and dragging her away. At least he had listened to her suggestion that higher elements Arts were effective against the fiends, although he had a propensity for overkill and wasted too much EP on weaker fiends.
The trio of Thors students was running through the corridors of the old castle after being ambushed by two fiends and Beryl relented on accompanying her two companions lest Loggins tear her arm off trying to pull her away.
"This is crazy, I wanna go home!" Vivi yelled again as they entered an empty room, Loggins slamming the door shut before reaching for his pocket for his last EP capsule.
"I told you you didn't have to come," Beryl replied to the twin.
"You said Linde would be in Legram and she's not there! I'm sticking to you until we find her."
"I said that Legram would be your final destination if you wanted to reunite with your sister, not that she would be here," the gloomy looking girl said cryptically, although for her the message had been clear enough.
"And like hell I'm letting you two wander this creepy place by yourselves after hauling our asses off danger for the past weeks," said Loggins, also on the edge albeit more controlled than the pink haired girl. "Shouldn't we be close to the entrance by now? I feel like we already went past that corridor back there."
"Maybe space is being distorted and we're running around in circles without noticing. Or maybe the spirits are guiding us deeper into the castle. Truly fascinating," Beryl chuckled lightly, expressing the highest amount of excitement anyone had seen from her.
"Yeah, awesome," the swordsman rolled his eyes before returning to the door and opening it slightly to check for danger and it seemed that whatever was chasing them gave up, so he motioned to the girls for them to move.
"You should not worry, I'll guide us back as soon as I complete my investigation. Saint Sandlot's grave proved itself lacking any interesting information," Beryl reached for her bag and pulled out a crystal ball roughly the size of her own fist along with a set of talismans made of higher element quartz and seemingly random crystals and leaves. "Besides, these are protecting us."
"Oh yeah? Then why is every creepy floating skull on fire trying to eat us?" Vivi protested.
"The talismans protect us from harm, that doesn't mean spirits won't attempt to harm us but if we stand still they won't be able to touch us."
"As if I'm so eager to test that."
"You have nothing to worry about, Vivi, these special talismans blessed by my guardian spirit can ward off any fiends of lower spiritual presence like the ones we've found so far. This is not my first foray into haunted dwellings and it shall not be the last."
Just as Beryl had finished her sentence, a bone chilling shriek pierced the air behind them as the air started to grow colder and colder.
"The hell was that?"
"A fiend of higher spiritual presence," said Beryl.
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
"We should leave."
And so they ran, not even Beryl wanted to stick around to see what this more powerful fiend looked like, making her two companions run even faster if even the occult obsessed girl wanted nothing to do with it. But despite how much they ran, despite how many rooms they passed by, the fiend only seemed to get closer, its frigid breath bearing down in their necks.
Beryl held up her crystal ball, a faint light shining from it and maybe Vivi would have yelled something about how she thought it was just a toy but then the brunette told them to turn right, then left and again right, guiding them until they reached the stairs would lead them back to the first floor. They almost rolled down the steps and Vivi could feel her legs starting to give out from the exertion, none of the combat training from Thors could have prepared her for running from ghosts, but when they reached the bottom was the most blessed sight of none other than Class VII with Emma pointing her orbal staff straight at her face.
"Duck!" The bespectacled girl yelled and the trio did so, throwing themselves on the floor as a ray of mirage energy illuminated the entire room and whatever it was that was chasing them let out a pained scream that faded away into nothingness.
Still lying down with her hands over her head and eyes closed, Vivi heard Rean call out orders for Laura and Emma to check the perimeter and for someone called Celine to protect them though the pink haired girl had only seen three people among the group and didn't recognize the name. She heard the sound of footsteps rushing up the stairs and to adjacent rooms and that of Arts being cast as she imagined Class VII destroying the ghosts that were nearby.
It was only after the chaos seemed to have died down that Vivi dared to lift up her head and saw Rean extending a hand to her with a smirk on his face. She took it eagerly and lifted herself up with a blush on her face when she realized she was the only one still down on the floor.
"You okay there, Vivi?"
"I-I'm fine, great even now that you guys showed up!"
Loggins approached Laura and gave her a firm handshake. "I'd say it took Class VII a bit too long to show up and save the day. You guys losing your touch?"
"I believe the term is fashionably late," Laura replied.
"Hello, Emma, Celine. It seems my suspicions were correct after all," Beryl said nonchalantly.
"Wait, you knew?" Emma blurted out, caught off guard by the way Beryl was looking at her and her familiar. Celine was just as surprised as well. They had been so careful that not even her classmates had suspected, how did this girl she barely knew seemed to know about her identity as a witch?
"As I said, I had my suspicions, I had even attempted contact through an offering to your familiar although that didn't work, but your presence here and how you've dealt with the spirits confirms I was in fact right."
"Offering? What offering did you…? That plate with squirrel brains under the tree was yours!?" Celine shouted out, slightly horrified. Meanwhile, Vivi and Loggins were asking how the hell was the cat talking.
"Would you have preferred bat brains?"
Celine almost retched at the suggestion. "No brains! What kind of creature do you take me for!?"
"So you're a picky familiar. Interesting," the brunette muttered, approaching Celine with a curious gaze while the cat hid behind Emma's legs.
With greetings exchanged, they decided it was best to continue their conversations outside Lohengrin Castle and away from any other spirits. Finally out, Vivi and Loggins breathed in the fresh air with gusto, internally swearing off ever setting foot inside any abandoned castles ever again, while Beryl hung back closer to the entrance.
"So, I take it you guys are here because of the monsters?" Asked Loggins. "The Guild receptionist said he was calling for reinforcements."
"Yeah, we got a whole operation going with the rest of Class VII and Prince Olivert," said Rean, who then turned to Vivi. "Linde is with us."
The pink haired girl perked up and had to resist the urge to not cry of joy as she gave thanks to Aidios at the news.
"And how did your group come about, Loggins? And what has brought you to Legram?" Laura asked.
"Not much to say. I got lost in the chaos of the day of the attack and came across these two after a while and decided they wouldn't last long without someone covering for them, especially when one them keeps meddling with weird crap," he eyed Beryl, who responded with a nonchallant grin. "We've been hoping from settlement to settlement until we got here two days ago. I felt the hometown of the Radiant Blademaster would be as safe as it could be even if your father wasn't here."
"In regular circumstances I'd agree but Legram has been plagued with monsters and, as you've seen first hand, even ghosts due to circumstances caused by the war. The latter is rather concerning, Lohengrin Castle wasn't haunted the last time we were there, Emma."
"It must be because of the cryptid's presence," the witch replied. "We should deal with that as soon as possible."
"I'm not good with that kind of stuff, so if you'll excuse me I go back to my research," said Beryl, turning back to the castle just to be stopped by Emma holding her shoulder.
"Now wait a moment, Beryl. I don't know what kind of magic you know but you clearly aren't prepared to deal with the stronger spirits that reside here, Beryl."
"I'll be fine, I have my guardian spirit watching over me."
There was a collective sigh among the others and Rean decided it would be best for Emma to accompany Beryl while he and Laura dealt with the monsters and the cryptid. While the girl was hesitant since she also wanted to help her classmates, Rean reinforced the fact this was her area of expertise more than hunting monsters so she relented.
As for the other Thors students, Vivi was taken back to the Arseid Manor to rest and Loggins offered to help Rean and Laura in their task. On their way back to the town, Rean gave a brief rundown on their situation regarding the Crimson Wings and Valimar as well to their amazement.
The trio of swordsmen made their way out of Legram through the Ebel Highway and entered the woods on the side of the road where the gordis had been spotted. Traces of the monsters such as footprints and broken tree branches were the first indicators of their presence, followed by dead animals as they ventured further into the wilderness. Laura noted that the traces were closer to the town than Klaus had described, indicating the group of monsters seemed to be expanding its territory.
There was also a faint mist hanging in the air and with how the situation in Erebonia was, they could not be sure if it was natural or not, although Emma did warn them that the spirit veins seemed agitated, lending credence to the idea the monster presence was unnatural.
As they walked, they lamented that the duel Friedel had set up between them had never come to be due to the war, although Rean simply called it postponed. The conversation then led to questioning the whereabouts of the fencing team captain. "Friedel decided to stay at Thors, she said she would try to rein in the rest of the noble students and if anyone can do it would be her," Loggins explained. "I couldn't stay there though. Friedel might have knocked some sense into me but I'm not lowering my head to anyone and would end up causing trouble for both of us."
It made sense. While not close to either Friedel and Loggins, Rean and Laura had heard of how during their first year the commoner student had a bit of a temper and had to be put in his place by the noble girl, after which grew closer together. A somewhat familiar tale.
"Got to say, Rean, it's weird not seeing you hanging out with Crow. What's that guy up to anyway, trying to make a dime off the war?" Loggins asked with a laugh but a look at the swordsman's face told him there was nothing to laugh about. "Uh, did something happen to him?"
"Crow's on the enemy side," Rean simply replied.
"Oh shit. Huh, and I thought I'd seen it all with the ghosts and giant robots."
"It has been a time of new experiences, to say the least," said Laura. The swordswoman had taken the front since she was more familiar with the area, with Rean at her right and Loggins on the left.
Deeper into the forest, the smell of rotting carcasses filled the air, indicating their proximity to the monsters. Noticing something farther off ahead of them, both Laura and Rean stopped on their tracks while Loggins took a little longer, only reacting to their movements instead.
There was movement at a clearing ahead, erratic and violent, and they approached slowly and silently with their swords drawn. On close inspection they saw a gordi with its back turned to them, tearing onto a dead deer, its strong jaw making short work of the animal's bones and the sickening crunching sound filling the air. The fact that the monster was alone was concerning as they were informed at least three were present and there was still the matter of the cryptid nobody had seen yet.
The trio spread out to surround the ape monster, which so far was busy gorging itself with meat. Laura raised her left hand, gesturing Loggins to hold on for her command while internally her combat-link to Rean communicated her intention of them taking down the monster swiftly together. It was rather cumbersome to work with someone without an ARCUS unit and having to relay information the old fashioned way but she would not deny a fellow swordsman the chance to prove himself.
When they were in position, Laura lowered her hand, though Rean didn't need the visual cue, and the three started their assault. Laura went in first and caught the monster's attention, making it drop its meal and turn to the girl with a beastly roar. As the gordi started to make its way to her, Rean came in from the side sending a wave of Arc Slash that stunned it and allowed Laura to stab her sword against its stomach, almost skewering the beast. The gordi let out an enraged roar that traveled through the woods before Rean finished it off by impaling its heart with his tachi.
Loggins watched the whole thing in astonishment, feeling even a tinge of jealousy at the synchronicity between the two sword fighters. He sighed and shook his head. "Guess I should just hang back and watch you two work, huh?"
"Don't worry, after that scream it let out you'll get your chance soon," said Laura as she and Rean started to circle around the dead gordi, Loggins taking the cue and following suit.
Just as Laura had predicted, the first monster's death throes alerted its companions the air around them was filled with the sound of the incoming threats. Scared birds flew from the trees and grass and soil were trampled as two gordis rushed out into the clearing from opposite sides, fists pounding the ground with ferocity.
"Rean, you and Loggins take the other one. This one is mine," said Laura as met one of them head on, brandishing her blade with equal tenacity.
The other gordi attempted to assist its brethren but a blast of Time Arts from Rean called its attention and thus the ape decided the raven haired swordsman would be its target. Rean avoided the monster's fists with agile movements as it tried to either grab or pummel him. A swing of his tachi caught the monster's arm but did little to wound it due to its coarse fur.
Rean was keeping it distracted and Loggins moved in for the offensive, not wasting time to strike with his rapier at the gordi's back. The ape cried out in pain and turned around in an attempt to defend from this new threat just to give Rean the opening to strike it down with an Autumn Leaf move that cut off the monster's tendons, knocking it to its knees and giving Loggins the opportunity to skewer its brain.
"Sheesh, that was one tough bast-" Loggins started to say but Rean was already on the move going to assist Laura.
With precise movements, the swordswoman expertely dodged the monster's wild flailing of its fists. Laura's next move was already planned, she would wait for the right moment then swing her sword back at the monster and cut off one of its limbs as it attacked after which would be child's play to finish it off, but then a tug at her link with Rean stopped her as her partner came rushing in with another Arc Slash directed at their opponent's right side.
The attack got the gordi's attention and the ape swiftly started to rush at Rean. It lept in the air and tried to slam both arms at Rean just for the swordsman to dodge with a roll at the last second then he quickly got himself up and cut at the beast's head, drawing blood from its forehead. That only made the ape increase its assault but it barely took two steps before Laura pierced it with her blade on its back and Rean finished off slashing its throat.
This wasn't necessary, I had it under control, Laura thought to say but shelved it in her mind, it sounded too prideful and even like she was angry. Besides, they didn't have the time for arguing as more monsters were in their way.
Three gordis burst from the trees this time and they seemed bigger than the others they had slayed. Without their numerical advantage, the Thors students picked one target each and started the song and dance of evading and baiting attacks from the monsters. Good thing gordis had a one track mind of slamming their fists on their prey, which made them predictable opponents.
Rean and Laura finished theirs off with little issue while the fencing vice-captain, not as used to fighting a non-human opponent, was having difficulty handling his. Once again Rean acted as bait and drawed out the gordi's attention with a barrage of Arts and allowed Laura and Loggins to strike the decisive blow on the monster. And not a moment too soon as two more of the ape monsters appeared.
Rean once again acted as bait for the monsters and logically it was a sound strategy. Why risk head on melee with the beasts when they were so easily goaded? And between the three of them, Rean was the most agile and limber and he made avoiding the monsters' blows seem easy. It wasn't like she didn't trust his abilities, she wasn't worried about him getting hurt, neither was it an abnormal strategy they hadn't used before. So why did Laura feel a tinge of worry?
"Dying doesn't sound so bad."
She shook her head at the memory- No, the delusion she had promised herself to forget. She was being ridiculous again. "I shall act as bait next time," Laura declared once the gordis were dead.
"Uh okay? Sure, alright," Rean seemed a little confused in regards to what had brought that on but he didn't argue.
Laura didn't know what kind of answer she was expecting and she wasn't sure if that had been a satisfactory one, but through their combat-link she didn't feel anything odd coming from Rean, just his combat readiness.
What am I thinking?
A single gordi appeared, bigger than the previous ones, maybe their leader, and Laura made true of her statement of acting as bait. She grabbed the beast's attention by imbuing her sword with orbal water then flinging the water blade against it with enough force it blinded the gordi in one eye. Enraged and half-blind, the monster rushed at her with a roar and Laura stood her ground, waiting until the last possible second before side stepping and striking it in the stomach. It was a glancing blow but still drew blood and made the monster even madder.
With the gap between them closer, Laura didn't risk any more offensive moves and only focused on dodging the incoming attacks before Rean and Loggins skewered the beast with their blades.
"Alright! I guess we're done with-" A series of howls coming from the woods interrupted Loggins' celebration, indicating many more were coming.
Judging by the noises, Rean counted at least five more gordis were on their way. This whole thing was starting to get annoying. "Oh for the love of- Screw this! Heed my call, Valimar the Ashen Knight!"
Sure enough, five more monsters burst from the trees, roaring and beating their chest with vigor in a show of aggression just for Valimar to land between them and the sword fighters. Rean immediately entered Valimar's cockpit and if the gordis knew what fear was they didn't show it, they simply charged against the Divine Knight haphazardly and didn't stop even as the first one of them was crushed by the soldat sword he carried.
One of the gordis jumped up and grabbed onto Valimar's right arm and bit down hard but for Rean that felt barely worse than getting pinched. With his left hand, Valimar pried the ape monster off and then spiked it against the ground. The remaining gordis uselessly attacked Valimar's shins, biting and punching against the metal armor before the Divine Knight dealt with them in equally deadly fashion.
"Holy shit…" Loggins stared in awe at the Ashen Knight. What had taken them a lot of effort and coordination, Rean had done in a manner of seconds. But it wasn't over, not by a long shot as the fog seemed to intensify and the air to grow colder.
There was another howl but different from that of the gordis, a roaring shriek indicating something totally beyond what they were fighting thus far. From far away they heard the sounds of trees being toppled, growing louder as their adversary approached.
It was like Valimar had been struck by lightning as the monster surged from the woods in a burst of speed, almost managing to knock the Knight on its back. It was a quadruped that standing on its hind legs was almost as tall as Valimar, with wing-like protrusions on its back though they could not be used for flying and a long horn on its nose pointing forward. Protecting much of its body was layers of armor-like ice exuding a fine mist.
Rean had managed to avoid the cryptid's horn from skewering him and Valimar and now the creature was attempting to bite the Divine Knight's head off with sharp icicles for teeth. To protect themselves, Rean put the sword between Valimar and the monster, letting it bite into the blade while trying to shake it off, pulling and twisting the sword to the sides while the cryptid clawed at Valimar.
Loggins had backed away as it was the sensible thing to do but Laura didn't, she observed as Valimar pushed the cryptid away and the creature balanced itself only on its hind legs and when she saw an opportunity she took it. What Rean had said to her the previous day about how her presence helped him (undoubtedly he was hearing her heart race as she ran towards the monster) had pacified some of her angst towards herself but he also had been right in that it wasn't enough and she refused to simply stand back if there was something, anything she could do.
The cryptid was standing completely straight up on its hind legs, its balance fragile, though it did nothing to back away from biting on the large sword, its teeth starting to crush the metal. Laura rushed towards it, imbuing herself with Arts to enhance her strength, and jumped up with a spinning swing of her sword, similar to what she had done against Ordine months ago but this that her blade did not shatter.
The sword cut through the beast's joints between its icy armor, slicing through flesh and bone. Laura fell next to Valimar and rolled out of the way as the Divine Knight dropped the cryptid on its back. The cryptid tried to move away but Rean wasn't having it and stabbed the monster through its soft stomach, momentanely pinning it on the ground before it disappeared in a burst of light.
The cryptid was dead and soon the fog subsided and disappeared from the region of Legram once again and the trio of swordsmen started on their way back to the lake town. Loggins couldn't help but ask about Valimar, his curiosity now piqued after seeing the Divine Knight in action, and Rean obliged with the answers as they walked. Laura however was quieter than usual, seeming to be lost in thought, which didn't escape Rean's notice.
"Loggins, you can go ahead, we'll catch up with you," Rean said and their friend understood the cue, making his way back to Legram on his own. Once they had a bit of privacy, Rean turned to Laura and reached out for her hand. "So, first things first. Thanks for the assist against the cryptid, you didn't need to but I appreciate it. I bet you looked really cool doing it," he gave her a cheeky wink and Laura chuckled lightly.
"Well, you're welcome."
"Was that about our conversation yesterday or were you trying to balance the scales after I was bait for the gordis?" The way Laura sighed and evaded his eyes was enough to answer his question. "You don't have to worry, you know that right? I like to think you trust me enough to handle a couple of monsters."
"Of course I trust you and your abilities, Rean!" That was the exact kind of impression Laura wanted to avoid giving off and she had failed miserably. She felt his grip on her hand tighten softly and he was smiling warmly at her but she couldn't help feeling like she had insulted him. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking, it's just… I suppose I felt you were taking too much responsibility for yourself."
"Sorry for being an attention hog, I guess," Rean chuckled. "I didn't think too hard about it back then, I just thought it was the best strategy and went for it. I'll let you be monster bait more often, is that fine with you?"
Rean's composed demeanor calmed Laura down somewhat. "That sounds agreeable. Again, I'm sorry for sounding like I don't trust you, Rean."
"Hey, it's fine," he gave her a peck on the lips and smiled before pulling out his ARCUS and initiating a call. It took a moment but eventually it was answered and he put it on speaker. "Hey, Emma, we killed the cryptid. Is everything good on your side?"
"We're fine, Rean. The spiritual activity has ceased and- Beryl, please, you've collected enough ectoplasm already!" The swordsmen exchanged a confused look. "Sorry about that. But yes, everything is fine he- CELINE DON'T TRY TO CURSE BERYL, I DON'T CARE IF SHE'S ASKING FOR IT!" The witch sighed. "We will be returning to Laura's home soon."
"Cool. Don't wait for us," Rean said and ended the call. Laura looked puzzled at him for a moment before the noise of Valimar's boosters drew her attention as the Divine Knight approached the couple and landed behind them. "Wanna see inside Valimar's cockpit?"
The sensation of being transported inside the Divine Knight was barely noticeable. Laura felt an initial lightness and her vision blurred for a moment but the act of her body being turned into mana barely registered in her mind. What did register in her mind once she was inside, however, was the position she was placed in, sitting on Rean's lap with her body draped across the pilot's seat, her legs over his right arm and back on his left one.
Laura glared at her boyfriend.
"Comfortable?" He said with a cheeky grin on his face.
"I don't imagine this is the default position for passengers, is it?"
"Nope."
Absolutely shameless, she thought to herself, shaking her head with a smile.
"Okay, sorry about that. You can get up now."
"I didn't say it was uncomfortable," Laura said, putting her arms around his neck and enjoying how the simple action made his breath pick up.
"So what do you think?"
His question referred to the insides of Valimar and Laura took her eyes away from him and looked around. "Futuristic" was the best descriptor, no other word could do it justice. She marveled at the screen that served as Valimar's eyes with an image so clear it was as if she was staring through a window, then her gaze fell on the dashboard and controls, imagining what it felt like to wield such power, to use simple motions and twists of the controls to perform the entire breadth of motions of the Eight Leaves One Blade school.
Or that of the Arseid.
If only I…
She cut that line of thought. The fate of Awakener was not related to individual strength as there were those much stronger than her and Rean who were not chosen like her father, nor was it a matter of moral character as Crow and the False Emperor were both Awakeners as well. It was simply that, fate, or luck if you wanted to be blunt about it, and she had had enough of cursing her luck like a child.
Laura concentrated on what mattered, on Rean's presence and the warmth of his body and how damn comfortable his lap felt. "I like it here," she said in a soft whisper as she leaned closer, resting her head against his chest. "Our mission is over and we still have a few hours until we rendezvous with Instructor Sara's team. Do you have any plans in mind?"
Rean's mouth twisted in a smirk and he activated Valimar's propulsors, taking them up in the air and hovering in place for a bit before boosting onwards in the direction of Legram. Laura watched the scenery rush past them on the screen as they flew across the Ebel Highway in no time.
Slowing down and flying relatively low, they circled above Legram, passing by the center of town and the docks and going up the hill towards the Arseid manor and training hall. The townsfolk had been made aware of Valimar before their arrival that day so that the sight of him didn't start a panic and now people rushed outside to see the Divine Knight. Some looked nervous while others stared in awe and Valimar waved at them with some waving back, mostly children.
Valimar hovered above her home for a moment, giving them a chance to take a look at the entire town from above before plunging down towards the lake. The surface approached fast and it seemed they would crash but Laura had no fear, she trusted Rean, and was proved right as Valimar pulled up and they sped along the water's surface towards Lohengrin Castle.
Off in the distance, a small boat carried two girls and a cat back to town and they watched the Ashen Knight's flight with amusement.
Before Rean and Laura reached the island where the ancient castle resided however, Rean stopped Valimar and they hovered above the lake, then, to her surprise they started to lower into the water. Down, down they went until Valimar was completely submerged then further deeper into the lake they descended until reaching the bottom.
The Arseid family had always taken good care of the lake, it was a treasure of the viscounty and the family of swordmasters as well as the residents of Legram prided themselves in keeping it clean and healthy through the years, and now Laura could see the fruits of that labor from an angle nobody else could.
Crystalline water surrounded them as the sun shimmered above, its light dimming as they descended. Schools of fish hurried out of their way and underwater plants swayed back and forth as Valimar carefully moved through the water, his boosters letting out jetstreams of bubbles behind them.
"You can feel everything Valimar does, correct?" She asked him without taking her eyes off the screen. "Is it cold down here?"
"A little but not enough to bother me, it's like being inside a room with the AC on. Besides, I got something keeping me warm here."
She chuckled and pressed her body against him a little tighter and she was about to give Rean a kiss when something outside caught their eyes and both gasped. "Is that…"
As they had approached the isle where Lohengrin Castle was located ruins had come to view. The base of the mount that served as the former Eisenritter base was littered with random pieces of towers and walls, ballustrates, statues and animist monuments, even a rusted and cracked bell; much of of the structures covered in sediment, algae and moss. There was a resemblance to the castle up above and although neither was an expert in ancient architecture they could tell these were much older.
The results of battles long past, before the War of the Lions and Lianne Sandlot and the noble status of the Arseid family, maybe before Legram existed as a town or even before Lake Ebel was filled with water. Centuries, millenia ago.
She had known something like this was lying down at the bottom of the lake, shadows on the ruins being visible from up above in ideal conditions, but she never expected for there to be so much, to see it in such detail. It was a beautiful and serene view. Laura couldn't put it into words, she was enraptured, pieces of the history of her beloved hometown, buried and unseen for so long, now finally uncovered again. And Rean had given it to her. "Did you…"
Rean shook his head, he was just as surprised. "There was no way I could've known, not even through Valimar I think. Honestly, I was worried we'd just find a bunch of trash in here, not very romantic," he laughed awkwardly at his words but Laura paid no mind to it, she simply continued to stare at the scenery.
Eventually they returned to the surface, Valimar bursting from the waters and flying over the lake once again before hovering still in the sky, overlooking Lake Ebel and the town of Legram as the sun started its trajectory down. Rean and Laura were ejected from the Divine Knight's cockpit and landed on his extended arm, cradling both so they could sit and admire the view and fresh air.
Laura felt her stomach churn as her legs dangled perilously over the edge of Valimar's limb but she quickly got her bearings and allowed herself to admire the view, Rean would not allow her to fall. She never thought she'd see her hometown like this, she couldn't put her finger on how it was different, maybe it was because of the altitude, maybe it was due to seeing the ruins at the lake, or maybe it was Rean's presence. A moment of beauty and peace amidst the war, all thanks to Valimar, without whom Rean wouldn't be by her side anymore. That thought gave her an idea.
The swordswoman got up and balanced herself on Valimar's arm, drawing a curious look from Rean as she jumped up and grabbed on Valimar's plating, climbing up his chest until she was standing on his shoulders. "A knight deserves a recompense for a job well done, isn't that right?" Laura leaned close to Valimar's head and planted a small kiss on his metallic cheek. "Thank you, brave Ashen Knight, for keeping Rean safe."
"It is only my duty to my Awakener," Valimar replied and if Laura had to guess under his artificial voice, he sounded confused at the gesture.
"Aw, you made him embarrassed," Rean said in an overly bashful manner with a hand over his own cheek.
"Incorrect. That sentiment is not part of my emotional matrix."
"He's blushing, I can feel my face heating up!"
Valimar tilted his head and would have furrowed his brow if he had one. "I do not understand."
"Rean, stop teasing Valimar!"
Rean burst into laughter at the playful chastising and so did Laura along with him and when that subsided, Laura jumped back to Rean's side at Valimar's arm and both stared off at the horizon. It was a beautiful sight and she said as much but Rean responded with a simple "hmm" as if his mind was somewhere else. She turned to look at him and saw that same wistful gaze he had when they rode the orbal bike to Heimdallr, looking at something only he could see.
Freedom.
With Valimar Rean could go anywhere he wanted, be whatever he wanted. Did he still wish to distance himself from his family? Would… would he move away from Erebonia, from her, if he could?
But then his gaze shifted downwards, pointing back at Legram, while never missing that expression of yearning. Without saying anything, he held her hand, running his fingers over hers in a light caress and Laura realized he was still thinking about what his life could be.
"I've been considering becoming a Bracer. Traveling, helping people, fighting, all things that I like. It sounds the same as the army but with the added freedom. Besides, I hear that the Legram branch is one of the few still open in Erebonia."
It had not been a thing he said on a spur of the moment, he still thought about that, of a life after graduation, and now after the war, in Legram with her. Rean was brimming with confidence and purpose in themselves and their future. Holding his hand tightly, Laura put her head to rest against his shoulder. "Thank you for this, Rean."
"You're welcome."
And as much as both wished they could stay away from the chaos that engulfed their country, they eventually had to return to reality as Valimar informed them it was almost time to meet with the rest of their companions.