Yggdrasil's Ace
Chapter 23
Author Notes: Naptime will soon be upon me...or rather bed time, but before I do, it's time to get an upload in. As always I do not own Dragon Quest.
3rd P.O.V
"Fucking finally!" Erik rolled his eyes as he, Ace and Sylvando returned back from Tickington. Though it was at least a good hour or two for the trio, not a single second went by for Veronica and Serena. So it wasn't time she was referring to.
But rather the fact that Ace and Erik were official as they held hands, unashamed. If anything there was a blush on Erik and his partner never looked happier. "Yeah yeah we get it already." Ace gave him a soft smile, giving the hand she was holding a squeeze. Reminding him that this was real.
They were real. "I don't think you do. I've been watching you two lovestruck idiots play denial for ages! I swear to Yggdrasil i've never been more glad that Mr. Sparkles and Glitters here was able to do something about this." Serena was clapping with glee, hugging the both of them with congrats.
Hell even Veronica couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face. "It was absolutely pitiful how badly you denied liking her! Honestly as if she's interested in anyone else other than your thick skull. Don't know what she sees to be honest." Even as she continued to berate Erik she was happy for the two.
"Shut up!" If for nothing else than just or the tension between them all to go away. "So Ace how'd it go with Tickington? Everything went alright?" It was story time for the group as they settled at the campsite.
Sylvando not hesitating to talk about the tockles. "They were absolutely precious! Adorable little dears oohhh I was ready to eat them up!" And Ace explained what happened in the tome they had jumped in this time around.
Mentioning Princessa and the 'ruff' situation she found herself in gave her some raised eyebrows. "Well it definitely sounds better than the last time we went. Though I feel like I've heard that name before." Serena placed a finger to her chin as she pondered. She knew it was familiar but she just couldn't place it.
"She's a descendent of Erdwin, like me. In an ancient era from the past." Veronica squints her eyes as Ace looks at the ground while interlacing her fingers together. "How do you know? Did she tell you?" This was news to the boys who were with her as they glanced her way.
They certainly didn't hear such. "When we casted the sheen spell...I don't know if it was the same for her, but I saw what her life was like up until our arrival. The struggles she faced watching her family and kingdom fall. Being reduced to an animal while searching for her cousins..." She even knew where her mark was.
Hidden beneath her robes on her left shoulder. Just like how she had her mark on her left hand. "Even now that we're back in Erdrea if I'm not careful i'll be swallowed by the visions I received." Her head was starting to hurt, making her eyes narrow as she tried to ignore it.
She could still hear the screams and maniacal laughter from Princessa's memories. "Well you're definitely more powerful. I can practically see the magic radiating off you. If your powers first awakening were the flame of a candle-it's a full blown volcano now." Veronica was circling the girl.
Tapping Ace's hands gently with her staff. "When was the last time you had an official vision from a Yggdrasil root or the Goddess herself?" It takes a moment for her to answer. "The crypt...back then there were roots all over the place, revealing the traps and how to get to the bottom levels."
That was the only time she could recall ever having one through those specific means. "Interesting. And what about dreams? Not counting the little magic show with that Moonbrooke princess have you had any other strange experiences?" Erik snorted, something all of them grinned at.
Making Veronica rephrase. "Any recent experiences with mystic magic or visions?" At that she shakes her head again. Her only experience that would be considered recent was the tockles and Princessa.
"There's no way your magic could've grown so much from just that." Ace could only shrug with an apologetic smile. "This makes no sense! You make no sense...and magic spells like heal STILL don't affect you." It was a mystery.
A very frustrating one. The Arborian mage sighing as she plops back onto her seat. "Perhaps it's because of her magic that she's not affected by it sister. I know that if someone is cursed, other curses or dark magic will not work on them."
Serena watches her sibling huff with crossed arms. "But curses aren't like typical magic. Usually curses are dark permanent spells that can only be broken by holy purification from a priest, the death of the caster or when certain requirements take place." The sisters had once more tried wrapping their heads around Ace.
Once more hitting dead ends. "Let's worry about that later, we still got a city to get to." Immediately Erik swiveled his head as Ace gave a slight hiss of pain, grabbing her head in concern. Sylvando pursed his lips as the girl took a deep breath.
"Are you alright darling?" Her eyes shut tight as the pain goes just as fast as it came. "Yes. I...like I said the visions, they reimage in my mind randomly. Mingling with my memories. Ugh. My head hurts." It was time to go. If for nothing else than for the distraction of her headaches.
Together they all set foot once more. Though Erik kept his attention for any moment where it seemed like Ace was ready to lose her sense of reality. She had mentioned it to him in the past before. Of course he was able to pull her back with just a squeeze of his hand, but he worried about her head pains...
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Like Gallopolis, Gondolia was busy to the knees with street merchants, performers and tourists both on land and sea. "Ahhhh it's been too long since i've come here~ Thank you darlings for the lovely escort!" Sylvando took a long deep breath, already ecstatic with the competition in full swing.
However arriving to their destination had a shred of bitterness to it as he had to say goodbye to the group. Both him and Raja had to get the show on the road after all. Still he couldn't help sending a wink their way.
"I know that there's a mighty quest you need to do, but I do so hope you'll stay to watch me take the title of Signor Universo~ Or even better we get Erik dear to try and tackle it with me?" The blue haired male immediately declined.
Not at all interested...but then Sylvando get's a wicked gleam in his eye. "How bout you Ace? With the cloak on no one would be able to tell the difference...Imagine Signore Universo won by the most masculine of women~" He said it all in jest.
Glad that even if Erik wasn't amused, the girl in question was as she laughed at his antics. If there was one thing the circus clown was going to miss it was this radiant sweetheart. "As much as I'd appreciate the offer I had enough of the spotlight in Gallopolis. I'll leave it in your capable hands."
He gave the girl a hug and kiss on the cheek, purposely ignoring the growl emanating on their left. "I wish you my absolute best darling. Be happy while saving the world hm?" Of course he made sure to give a hug and kiss to every other member of Ace's party.
Even Erik no matter how hard he tried to step away. Love came from little Raja as well as she flapped around, give her own version of kisses as she slobbered every last one of them with her sandpaper tongue before landing on her owner's shoulder.
"Have fun lovelies~ Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" With that the party was back to four as he walks away in glorious Sylvando fashion. "I hope we see him again in the future." Ace watches as her partner snort at Serena's comment.
Still slightly vexed from the overkill affection. "Next time I see him will be too soon." Despite his words Erik had a smile on his lips. Regardless of what he says, he's going to miss that minx of a matchmaker. He owed the silly jester for getting him and Ace together...
One day he'd be paid back for his meddling. "Looks like they got quite the set of pastries set up along the booths." Erik found his smile immediately wiped off his face as he gave Veronica and Serena a deadpanned expression.
"We got more important things to worry about then cake, girls. The Rainbough remember?" They couldn't fool around. Last time they did it didn't go well. Especially with how long it took for them to even get to the town.
At least in Tickington time stood still for the people of Erdrea. They had to find out if the merchant truly did make it here, and where their next destination was if they had left. So no matter what dirty looks he got from Ronnie or the disappointment oozing from Serena...he had to keep them on track.
As per usual Ace was there to smooth things over. "Why don't we split up then? We can enjoy the sights as well as listen in on the gossip." Making a compromise that no one could really argue as she hopped up on Midno.
Her black steed being as docile as a lamb now that he got some proper exorcise and wasn't working with an incompetent series of riders. Out of all of them she was going to stick out the most by riding him around even with her cloak, but she'll also be the most mobile.
"Let's meet back here within the hour. We'll see what we've found before heading into an inn for the night. That way we'll be well rested for whatever we decide to do after." It was a sound plan, though Erik found himself shuddering as a sense of deja vu overtook his senses.
It was then he remembered that they had done the same thing in Gallopolis...immediately his mouth twisted sourly. Recalling a royal stalker going after the Luminary. Even though the odds of it happening twice in a row was low, he didn't want to take any chances.
Goddess knows he WILL commit murder if he catches anyone messing with her. "How bout we pair up? Just in case we run into any trouble." Already Veronica was trying to(and somewhat failing) to hop up on Midno's back.
Not even giving Erik the chance to take his proper place by the Luminary's side. He raised an eyebrow, somewhat amused as she huffed, finally pulling herself up on the horse's back. "Really Ronnie? Even you're taking Ace from me? Like the jester wasn't bad enough."
The pigtailed mage stuck her tongue out, acting like the immature little girl she looked like. "You had your gushy, mushy moment with her. You were clingy and possessive before but now it's like you're stitched at the hip. Let us spend some time with her." It was true.
Neither of the loving couple could really deny it. Still...Ace narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "No clothes shopping right?" She would not...go through THAT again. It doesn't matter if she's now wearing a cloak to conceal her skin or got used to the revealing outfit.
"Promise! Now let's see what we can dig up." Serena giggled at the comment before gently taking Erik's hand in hers. Slightly surprised both in her boldness as well that Ace didn't show an ounce of jealously whatsoever despite the intimate touch.
It was a good sign as the rogue sighed, not necessarily bothered with the arrangement but somewhat annoyed all the same. "Alright let's get going. Be careful everyone." Things looked promising as the pairs went in opposite directions. Unaware of the dangers lurking beneath the depths.
to be continued
Author Notes: There we go~ A little romance and Sylvando makes for a good chapter! Next time we officially get back into the swings of the next plot. Next time. But that is it for now.
Everyone, as always thank you all so much for reading my story. If you like what you're reading please feel free to fav/follow/review as it means a serious deal to me. Really makes my day. See you all on another day. Tchao for now.