"Maybe I could help!" Glinda offers, perking up. "I am the Guild Master here, the title alone earns me a lot of respect. If it's information you're after, I'm sure I can get that for you." she says. "I can offer my services and the monetary reward I spoke of before if you'll do this for me." Glinda says.
Akane and Mana share another look.
"Well…" Akane trails off.
"Mar - uh, I think this is a good idea." Mana says, giving a pointed look to Akane.
Akane crosses her arms. "Right…" she says and turns to Glinda. "You said to meet you at your guild, right? We'll be there after we finish what we're doing here and regroup with our guildmates." she says.
Glinda beams. "Perfect!"
Episode 10: Unholy Light
"You really didn't think it'd be beneficial for us to know that Jun is dead?" Akane asks, annoyed. "Everyone at your stupid childhood home looked at us like we were crazy!"
Emile smiles apologetically. "Sorry. It was just - it's been a minute since I openly talked about her, alright?"
Akane sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. "It's fine, whatever." she says. "That aside, the only clergy that remembered you were a bunch of elderly people. They don't know anything about where you came from. Jun only told them what she knew, which is everything you've already told us." Akane reports.
Mana nods, recounting what they said: "You woke up on a mountain as a kid, followed that feeling you got, ended up in Arkcester, and you were found by Jun." she lists. "Apparently Jun also tried to investigate your origins but she came up with nothing. That's why she decided to take care of you."
"I guess their age is why her tombstone was so…" Emile sighs and smiles sadly. "We had no luck either," he says. "I tried something, but…"
Emile starts getting frustrated when nothing happens.
Come on, he thinks to himself. do something. Like when you gave me my Magic, just let me talk to her-
Yeah, sorry, that's not gonna happen. an unfamiliar voice says in Emile's head. In the next second, he gets launched by a strong, magical gust of air that sends him flying clear out of the graveyard.
"EMILE!" Calypso cries, running after him.
"What the hell?" Veiss says, his eyes wide as he follows after them.
"The heavens basically told me to fuck off." Emile says with a sigh.
The group goes silent, unsure of what to do next.
"Well…" Akane starts, glancing at Mana. "there is something we could do…"
Mana nods. "We met the Guild Master of Aberrant Hydra." she says. "She-"
"Did you tell her off for me like I asked!?" Emile asks, perking up and turning to Akane.
"Yes, you idiot." Akane says. "Now shut up and listen."
Emile shuts up.
Mana continues, "She offered to help us search for information and some monetary reward if we did something for her." she says. "But…" she scratches her cheek, an unsure look on her face.
"...Master Glinda specifically said it was 'off the books'." Akane finishes when Mana doesn't continue. "Which means we might get in trouble with Master Nadine or Theresa if either one of them finds out." she says.
"'I-In trouble'?" Calypso repeats nervously. "But I just got here!"
Veiss shakes his head. "I wouldn't worry about that, Calypso." he says. "It's like you said, you just got here - not to mention that if this 'favor' involves combat, you'd be in danger."
"I disagree." Akane says. "What better way to learn than actual combat?" she says. "Look at Mana," she says, gesturing at the girl beside her. "the only actual combat experience she has is being ambushed by that freak from Revenant Beasts and sending said freak clear across the forest." Akane says, earning a stifled laugh from Calypso. "Only a month of training later and I can objectively say that she's as good a fighter as the rest of us."
"But that's because Mana was a super soldier from Revenant Beasts." Emile counters.
"Em, that's just some crackhead theory-" Akane sighs but Emile quickly interrupts her.
"I'm not saying I disagree with you." Emile reassures. "All I'm saying is, Mana is a unique case." he says. "However, I agree that this could be good for Calypso." he says, smiling kindly at Calypso. "Whether she just watches from a safe distance or actually ends up participating in the combat, it's a good learning experience, right?" Emile says.
Mana frowns and shakes her head. "I agree with Veiss." she says. "If we hear this request from Master Glinda and it ends up being something dangerous, I think Calypso should stay behind." Mana says. "This isn't an official request so we can't accurately say who or what we'll encounter while we're out there." she reasons.
Veiss crosses his arms, leaning back in his chair. "There you have it. Two against two." he says, turning to Calypso. "It's not like we can force you to do something though, it's up to you. Do you want to come with us or not?" he asks. "You don't have any obligation to so no one's going to be upset if you don't want to."
Calypso looks down, deep in thought. "I think I'll hear what Master Glinda has to say, first." she says. "I'll decide after that."
"Very well." Veiss says. "Are we all in agreement then?"
Akane shrugs. "I don't care either way. I'm doing this for Emile."
Mana nods and smiles. "Me too." she says.
Emile beams. "Alright! Then let's go see Aberrant Hydra's creepy ass Guild Master." he says, grabbing Novem from Calypso and placing him on his head. "But if she says some weird shit to me again I'm moving to Fiore."
Aberrant Hydra Building
The six of them (Novem woke up on the way there) stare up at the unfamiliar guildhall in awe. Unlike their own, Aberrant Hydra only has two floors and it looks like their roof is inaccessible as well - however the building is much wider than their own. It doesn't look like it has room for any dorms for its members though. The building itself is an impressive white stone building surrounded by a large, black iron fence. Above the rather imposing entrance is their emblem - unsurprisingly, the heads and necks of a three headed hydra - and above that is the name of their guild in big bold letters.
"Damn." Akane whistles.
Veiss blinks. "So this is what the popular guilds have as their base."
Emile gives them both exasperated an exasperated look. "The inside of our guild looks perfectly fine!" he says defensively. "It's only the outside that has all those cracks and missing stones!" he says and turns to Mana. "C'mon, back me up here, Mana." Emile pleads.
Mana shrugs. "It looks cool, sure, but our base has a nice story behind it." she says.
"I agree." a new voice says from behind the group. They all turn around to find...Luna?
"Nice haircut." Emile says, gesturing to Luna's short hair.
Novem bounces on Emile's head. "You changed your clothes too." he observes. "I liked the other ones better. Made you look badass." he comments.
Luna sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm not Luna." she says.
The group blinks, taking a closer look at not-Luna.
Not-Luna definitely bears a striking resemblance to the armored Mage but upon closer inspection, they are a bit different. This girl is just as pale as Luna but she has short, wavy white hair parted down the middle and her eyes are a darker blue than Luna's. Not-Luna also has a pair of small, silver stud earrings on her ears and a light blue scarf around her neck. She also has a small birthmark on her left cheek. Not-Luna is wearing an open gray sweater over a white tank top. She has on gray, knee-length pants adorned with a brown leather belt and a sword sheath. She also has on dark brown hiking shoes.
"Not...Luna…?" Emile murmurs, the cogs in his head turning for a minute. Then he beams, "Well hello! It's nice to meet you, cutie, my name is Emile Solflare - OW!" he flinches when the girl flicks his forehead.
"Uh-uh." the girl shakes her head. "Nice try. You already ruined what little chances you had when you confused me for Luna." she says and sighs. "My name is Eira Coslett, it's nice to meet you all. What are you doing here, besides gawking at my guildhall?" Eira introduces herself.
Akane and Veiss burst out laughing. "I like this girl already." Akane grins. "But if you hit him again I'll burn some color into that pale ass skin of yours, snowflake." she says, her smile dropping immediately.
"Alright, calm down, tiger." Veiss says, tugging Akane away from Eira. "We're here on behalf of your Guild Master." he says. "Apparently she met with Akane and Mana here and offered us help in exchange for some sort of favor." Veiss explains.
Eira nods. "That sounds like Master Glinda…" she says, trailing off. She shakes her head. "Yeah. And, sorry. I'll keep my hands to myself and you keep yours away from me." Eira says, smiling apologetically at Akane.
"Whatever." Akane grumbles.
"Right." Eira smiles. "I'll show you to her office, that's where she usually is when we're being too rowdy." she says.
The inside of the Aberrant Hydra building is just as chic as the outside. They have fancy, expensive looking black wood furniture and antique decorations. A nice place to hang out for sure, but it doesn't have that homey feeling the Phoenix Fire building does. At least, that's how Mana feels.
This place gives me a weird vibe. Mary says unhappily.
Mana frowns. Why's that? You're the one who thought this was a good idea. she says.
N-No, it's not the place. Mary corrects herself. I feel like somebody's watching us.
Obviously there're people watching us. Mana says, confused. A bunch of new people they've never seen before just walked into their guild. she says. Is it just that you feel we're being watched or is there something...malicious behind it?
When Mary doesn't respond, Mana sighs and files the information away for later.
Akane glances at her with a frown and Mana just shakes her head, tapping her temple. Akane nods in understanding and whispers, "Later."
Mana nods back and turns her attention back to looking around the building but it's soon drawn away again when someone starts yelling, "What the hell are you talking about? The guy's your friend, isn't he!?" a boy with dark skin and white hair yells angrily. "I'm not strong enough to go out looking for him - and Master would definitely kill me if I even tried - but you are! So why aren't you!?" he yells at a scary looking man with white skin and messy black hair.
"I'm not S-Class." the man says dully. "And whatever Cole decides to do is his business, not mine. I don't have any reason to interfere - unless Glinda asks me to."
"I wonder what's going on…" Mana whispers to herself. She jumps when Calypso suddenly tugs at her sleeve.
"Come on," Calypso says. "you're falling behind. Don't wanna get lost, right?" she says with a smile.
Mana nods and follows after Calypso. "Right." she agrees, sparing the two arguing Aberrant Hydra members one last glance before jogging after the rest of her team.
"You're all here, perfect!" Glinda says happily when Eira leads the Phoenix Fire Mages into Glinda's office. "Eira, do me a favor and keep an eye on Seinaru and Neil." she says, turning to her subordinate. "I know Neil won't go against my orders but if that kid keeps provoking him I know damn well Seinaru will go after him." she says.
Eira nods. "Sure thing." she says. "Anything to keep that nihilist from causing trouble." Eira says bitterly. She bids farewell to the others and exits Glinda's office.
"Now," Glinda says, clearing her throat. "I don't believe we've met." she says to Veiss, Emile, and Calypso. "My name is Glinda Goldkuhl, the Guild Master of Aberrant Hydra." she says with a smile.
Emile looks positively aghast. "Y-You seriously don't remember me?" he asks. "You came up to me out of nowhere the last time I was in Arkcester!"
Glinda frowns, looking at Emile confusedly. "Hm…?" she mumbles, studying his face. "No, I don't remember you at all, sorry." Glinda apologizes. "I think I'd remember a kid with a scar like that." she says, tapping her cheek.
"I didn't have the scar yet…" Emile grumbles, stomping his feet like a child. "I was like, fourteen!" he insists, flustered.
"And what was that? Three, four years ago?" Glinda estimates. "You expect me to remember the face of a kid I spoke to once years ago?" she asks, unimpressed. "Anyways," she says. "let me tell you why you're here."
The six of them brace themselves, remembering the whole 'off the books' aspect of Glinda's request.
"First off, I want you to know I'm well aware none of you are at S-Class level." Glinda starts. "But, despite that," Glinda pauses, looking each of them in the eyes. "I'm technically asking you to go on an S-Class mission." she says and lets that sink in for a moment. "I was originally going to pay the price that the mission itself is offering but seeing how many of you there are, I'm increasing the reward by one million Jewels."
Emile chokes on the air, "I-Increasing by o-one million!?"
Mana's eyes widen comically. "You just have an extra million Jewels lying around!?" she asks.
Veiss starts sweating nervously. "I'm afraid to ask the total if that's how much you're increasing it by." he says, his mind racing.
"I'm not." Akane says. "How much are you offering altogether?" she asks, crossing her arms.
"Three million." Glinda answers simply. "Plus my help in getting that information you're looking for." she adds.
"Okay, now I'm scared." Akane says, slumping against the wall.
Calypso looks like she's about to faint and Novem is already back asleep on top of Emile's head.
Veiss clears his throat. "U-Um, what is it - what exactly do you want us to do?" he asks.
Glinda frowns, drumming her fingers against her desk. "Well," she says. "you're not exactly going on this S-Class mission I'm talking about. I want you to follow the actual S-Class Mages and Rune Knights accompanying them. I also need you to keep an eye out for my brat of a subordinate, Cole Match."
"Cole Match?" Mana asks.
"He's gone a bit...haywire." Glinda says awkwardly. "Cole's normally a good kid who follows the rules but this mission involves someone from his past." she explains. "Let me explain the mission first. Vice President Vaust is summoning S-Class Mages to the capital to go after a powerful Dark Mage with Light Magic." she explains, pulling out a folded up sheet of paper from her desk. "This Dark Mage is that someone from Cole's past - someone who is now the leader of a Dark Guild called Heaven's Light." Glinda says with a scowl and unfolds the paper, handing it to the group.
Infamous Dark Mage, military defector, and leader of Dark Guild Heaven's Light Xander Break spotted north of Soncha Kapa. Need Mages to join teams of soldiers and investigate the area. Break and Heaven's Light are believed to have ties to Revenant Beasts somehow. If seen do not approach. Target is highly dangerous.
Report to Soncha Kapa Tower by May 4th if joining the investigation.
Signed,
Vice President Eric Vaust
Calypso raises an eyebrow. "A Dark Guild called Heaven's Light, huh?" she says.
Glinda rolls her eyes. "Don't even get me started on the hypocrisy of it all." she says. "Moving on, I had one of my S-Class Mages watching him ever since he learned about the mission." she says. "I had an inkling he was going to lose her and go on the mission anyways so I sent her ahead to Soncha Kapa last week." Glinda says. "Two days ago, just like I thought, Cole disappeared. I have Mages patrolling the town in shifts just in case but I'm pretty sure he's on his way to Soncha Kapa; if he's not already there."
"So what exactly do you want us to do while we're following them?" Emile asks. "What happens if we see Cole?"
"Restrain him, if you can."
Akane smirks, flexing her fingers. "That'll be no problem."
"Or, if he gets caught up in the fighting before you can, make sure he doesn't die." Glinda says, her expression falling. "Please."
Soncha Kapa | May 2, X793
Everybody screams as they roughly get dropped from Glinda's portal. They get haphazardly dropped on top of each other.
"Ow ow ow ow Veiss-"
"M-M-Mana get y-your hands o-off my-"
"Calypso I'm two seconds away from cutting your damn leg off-"
"Novem your ass is literally on my face-"
"I-I can't, my elbow is stuck under Emile-"
"C-Can't...breathe…"
"Emile get your damn leg off of Mana's hand-"
"I'm trying-"
"E-Emile you're making me touch her-"
"For the love of the Goddess whoever's on the top of the pile, MOVE!"
Glinda peers down at them from the other side of the portal, laughing at the mess of tangled limbs. "You're staying at the Green Water Hotel, right? I'll pay for an extended stay. Whose name are the rooms under?" she asks.
"MINE!" Akane wheezes, scrambling away from the body pile when somebody rolls off of the top of the pile, giving her some leeway to wiggle free. She whispers incoherent things about being violated and killing Emile in his sleep.
Glinda nods, bids them all good luck, and shuts the portal.
After everyone manages to separate and calm down, they look around to see where Glinda dropped them.
Veiss is the first one to recognize where they are. "Look, isn't that Soncha Kapa Tower?" he asks, pointing to a tall, tall building less than a mile away from them.
"Soncha Kapa Tower?" Mana questions.
Calypso explains it to her. Soncha Kapa, where Glinda dropped them off (in the middle of a street, no less; fortunately it's not busy), is the capital of Valiance. Soncha Kapa Tower is the official residence and workplace of the President of Valiance, Robin LaVaughn. However, she's been sick with some sort of on and off illness so the Vice President, Eric Vaust, has been handling both his and her responsibilities for the past few months. Dark Mages and regular criminals have been taking the opportunity to increase their activity. The Vice President has been overwhelmed with everything and this mission is him making a move to show everyone that he's still in control.
"Damn." Emile says. "I can't imagine what President LaVaughn is going through being sick for that long…"
Veiss nods. "It's tough, yeah, but it's not our concern right now. We need to find that old midget dressed like a nun-"
"'Old midget dressed like a nun', huh?" an extremely annoyed voice says from behind them.
It's a young looking girl who's rather short. She has blonde hair tied into a braided ponytail that hangs over her left shoulder. She wears a long black dress underneath a pure-white coat held together by two cross-shaped buttons at her neck and midsection. The coat is extra tight around the arms with the odd design of five zippers on each arm. She also wears black tights with polished black shoes and covers her head in a white habit. A golden necklace with a pendant of Aberrant Hydra's emblem stands out against the black clothing.
Veiss crosses an arm. "I could've sworn Master Glinda said 'old' midget." he says, scrutinizing the girl's appearance. "You look like a kid."
Blondie's eye twitches and she slowly shrugs the silver cross-shaped storage case off the back, a case that's nearly the same size as her mind you, and hits Veiss' stomach with it, making him double over. She clears her throat and slips the case back onto her back. "If you must know, legally I'm only a bit older than Glinda but I'm actually eternally eighteen." she says, flipping her braid over her shoulder. "I'm guessing you're the brats Glinda sent to watch out for Cole." she says, a grimace on her face. "Only she would send you out with a description like that."
Mana gulps, glancing at a still recovering Veiss. "S-So, um, you're Victoria Mormo?" she asks.
"That's right." Victoria says, crossing her arms. "Aberrant Hydra's best Mage - second only to that bitch of a Guild Master." she swears. "I respect her as someone of a lower rank should but by the Goddess she's so annoying." Victoria whines and goes off on a tangent about how Glinda doesn't respect her and calls her an old bat (to which led to Victoria accidentally revealing that she was more than just 'a bit' older than Glinda - she's thirty six and Glinda is twenty six).
Akane, Emile, Mana, and Calypso share a wary look. They all feel the power coming off of the tiny older woman which is why Akane stayed quiet about her hitting Veiss and why Emile didn't greet her with a pickup line. Veiss felt it too, he just didn't have the brain cells to keep his mouth shut. It's the same feeling they get around Nadine, Theresa, and Phoenix Fire's S-Class Mages and it's the same feeling Revenant Beasts' former prisoners got around their captors.
Victoria Mormo is not to be fucked with.
Victoria, Calypso, and Team No Name are in Victoria's hotel room as she briefs them for what's to come.
"So what exactly do you want us to do here?" Akane asks. "The request said the S-Class Mages aren't moving out until May fourth." she says.
Victoria shakes her head. "That was a lie to trick anyone who shouldn't have their hands on this information; base level Mages and Dark Mages." she explains.
"Really?" Calypso asks. "That's...smart…" she says and trails off.
Victoria shrugs. "I guess." she says. "And like your friends here told me, you don't have any combat experience. You don't have to come with us, and in fact I recommend that you stay behind. This shouldn't be your first taste of battle." Victoria says and turns to the rest of them. "There's only a chance that you may get caught up in the fighting but it's still a chance. If you want to stay behind too, I understand." she says.
A beat passes and nobody says anything.
Victoria smirks slightly. "Glinda picked the right group of kids." she says.
Calypso meekly raises her hand. "I-I'll come too." she says. "I'll transform into a bird and watch everything from above," she says to Team No Name. "so I'll be even farther from the combat."
Emile raises his eyebrows. "Are you sure, Calypso?" he asks.
Calypso nods, determined. "I can't keep running away. We'll meet Revenant Beasts again sooner or later." she says, glancing at Mana.
Mana nods and smiles encouragingly. "And we'll be ready when we do." she says and laughs. "So long as we all have enough time to train before we do."
Victoria nods. "Alright then." she says. "Meet me back here in three hours." Victoria orders.
"Can I ask why?" Veiss speaks up carefully.
"Like I said, the date of May fourth was a lie." Victoria says. "We move out tonight. I want you back in three hours so I can hand out Earring Communications Lacrima to you so we can all keep in touch." she says and her expression turns serious. "If you see Cole or any suspicious activity at all, tell me immediately." she says. "You all have his description memorized, right?" she asks.
Everybody nods.
"Good." Victoria says. "Now get the hell out of my room."
"Hey, Mana," Veiss calls as they exit Victoria's room. "can we talk now?" he asks.
"Sure." Mana nods and smiles.
Akane glares at Veiss as Mana walks towards him. "I'm watching you, Dregliark." she says.
"Eat shit, Kumiko."
Akane only flips him off and walks off with Emile and Calypso.
"So, what's up?" Mana asks.
"I wanted to talk, remember?" Veiss says as he leads them to a bench in the hotel hallway. "I'm the only one who hasn't heard the whole story." he says. "We have three hours to kill and I'm all ears."
"Okay…" Mana nods, looking down at her lip.
Veiss gives her a small, comforting smile that reveals canines sharpened into fangs. "Take your time. We have three hours, remember? I want to know everything you're willing to share."
Mana nods and tells him the earliest thing she can remember: being in a cell with her brothers and sisters; and she tells him everything that she can remember in between. The only faces she can remember are her Master's, the White Bull's, and the face of Raoul Blutklaue, the only person that scares her more than Finn. And Mana tells him the last thing she remembers before Emile found her: running. She was running for a long time - at least that's what she assumes. She remembers falling asleep against a number of trees until Emile found her that day.
Then Mary shares everything she remembers. From Finn's taunting about her parents to the abuse she suffered from him to her meeting Mana to meeting Veiss himself. She talks about how Mana frequently protected her and took beatings in her place.
And Veiss tells the girls his story. He doesn't talk too much about his past before Revenant Beasts - only that he was just a boy who desired adventure like any other kid his age. That 'adventure' came right to his doorstep when his home was raided and burned to the ground. After being slave to his Master for a long, long time, Veiss was brought to share their cell for a few months while his Master did business with Mana's and Finn. When it was time for Veiss to leave, he was brought to an unknown location to be experimented on. The last thing he remembers is going under the knife and by some miracle, when he woke up he was in the Phoenix Fire infirmary.
Veiss shakes his head and laughs bittersweetly. "If Master Nadine had one hundred Jewels for every time a possessed amnesiac needed shelter and attacked someone…" he sighs. "Cooley freaked me out the first time I saw him too, y'know."
That's not the detail Mana's focusing on.
"'Possessed amnesiac'?" Mana asks worriedly. "What did they do to you?" she asks.
Veiss scratches his cheek. "Well, there's two visible physical differences between you and I." he says, gesturing to his pointed ears and flashing his pearly white fangs. "And-"
"MANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! VEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEISS! IT'S BEEN THREE HOURS YOU LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSERS!" comes Akane's angry screams.
Mana pales, unwilling to incur her teammate's wrath any further. "I didn't realize we were talking for that long." she says.
Veiss rolls his eyes and stands up. "It takes a while to talk about the pasts of three different people." he says. "I'll finish telling you about that later." he says. "Let's hurry up so I can punch Akane's stupid face."
He doesn't punch Akane's 'stupid face'.
Victoria hands out the Earring Communications Lacrima and briefs them on her latest meeting with the Vice President. "It's a small group." she says as everyone fastens the E.C.L. to their ears. "Unsurprisingly, there aren't a lot of people willing to go after one of Valiance's most infamous Dark Mages, S-Class level be damned. There's five S-Class Mages coming on this mission and ten Rune Knights. You're to keep a distance of fifty feet between us at all times. Remember, your primary goal is making sure you're not seen and finding Cole." Victoria says. "Got it?"
"Got it." the five of them say.
Victoria nods. "Then let's move out. Stay at the border of Soncha Kapa until you see us move." she orders. "Let's go, birdies."
Meanwhile…
Nelio and Alistair sit in the hallway of the Green Water Hotel staring at the doors of the rooms they know Team No Name purchased.
"They've been out for hours." Nelio notes.
"Yeah…" Alistair sighs. "what do you think happened?"
"Maybe they found a lead and they've been chasing it all day?" Nelio suggests.
"Maybe." Alistair shrugs. "You said you saw Aberrant Hydra's Guild Master talking to Akane and Mana, right?" he asks.
Nelio nods.
"Maybe we should ask her."
"Maybe." Nelio agrees.
…
…
…
…
…
…
"Like, now?" Nelio asks.
"Yes now."
"Okay."
PF x AH x SS
A/N finally, new content, i'm so sorry for the wait :omaiga: i hope you enjoy and i'llseeyouin2021
...unless?