"The going after malos thing…can it wait a few days?" lora asked. Talking to addam.
"Oh? Is the something you need to do first?" addam asked.
"I…well, yes." lora said. Addam folded his arms.
"You see…lady lora seeks the whereabouts of her mother. Unfortunately, she has her mercenary duties she has her mercenary duties to perform. Therefore, i often go out and conduct these searches myself." haze said.
"Any results?" I asked. Haze nodded.
"With all that happened yesterday. I didn't have the opportunity to say…my lady, your mother is currently residing in a small hamlet called torigoth." haze said.
"That's on the edge of gormott. Ardanian and coeian forces clash out there frequently. It's dangerous." addam said.
"So is fighting a weapon of mass destruction like malos. And that's not stopping us. Is it?" I asked.
"Indeed…well, no time to waste, let us head out there!" addam yelled with determination.
"That's the spirit prince spaz!" i yelled. He looked at me with annoyed eyes. Mythra giggled under her breath.
"But what about your mission?" lora asked.
"Lora...malos isn't going anywhere, and taking on a powerful destroyer like malos is gonna take planning and support from a lot of people. Even though we have our own aegis. If we want to defeat malos with no casualties. We can't just rush at him. We need a planned takedown. So while addam comes up with said planned takedown. We go give your mom a visit." i said. Everyone was looking at me with wide eyes. "...what?" i asked.
"My apologies…i just didn't expect such smart words from you…considering the way you fight." addam said.
"Just because i'm extremely aggressive in battle does not mean that i'm an idiot…now…i'm planning on bringing flowers…what kind does your mom like lora?" I asked.
"It's like night and day with this guy…so weird." mythra said.
"Mythra…" addam said. Chidding mythra.
"Relax addam. I understand her point…considering yesterday i was aggressively swinging my sword trying to cut her pretty head off. Seeing how I am when i'm not in battle can be quite a shock." I said. I noticed mythra blushing.
"You think i'm…pretty?" mythra said.
"Uhh yeah. Who wouldn't? Long beautiful golden hair. Extremely kissable lips. Divine figure. Pretty doesn't do it justice. You've got goddess level of beauty." i said. Mythra quickly turned around.
"Alright. Let's go find lora's mother." mythra said.
"Mythra….your face is red." milton said.
"Shut up milton!" mythra yelled as she ran off ahead.
"When will you cease to amaze kaku?" jin asked with a smug grin.
"What did i do?" i asked. Everyone laughed. I don't get why. As we walked on ahead. I felt someone watching us. "You all go on ahead. I've got something to do." i said.
"What is it? Maybe i can help." lora said.
"Nah. I got it. I'll catch up later. Don't worry about me." i said. Lora seemed skeptical. But she nodded and went on ahead. I quickly moved towards our stalker. And grabbed his throat. "Who the hell are you!?" i asked. Our stalker was some old guy with a mechanical arm. The arm had a retractable blade. I smashed him into the ground and held. His arm down by my foot. "Who the hell are you? Why were you stalking us!?" i asked.
"The name's gort kid! And that brat has something of mine!" gort yelled. I remember from loras story. About how she got jin….this was him. The merc who stole jin's core crystal. The bastard who was willing to butcher lora to get jin back. I look at his mechanical arm…guess that's what jin did to him.
"So you're the vile trash who was willing to slice up a child just to get back what you stole!" i yelled in rage. He gritted his teeth in anger. And swinging his fist madly at the leg i was using to hold him down.
"I'll show you trash you damn brat!" gort yelled as he repeatedly punched at my leg. I raised my other leg. And put my other foot on his face.
"After hearing lora's story…i should make you suffer….break every bone in your body. And cut you in places where you won't bleed out too quickly. But will feel every once of pain…but i know…lora and jin wouldn't approve. You may be a vile and hideous mistake of a human being. But I respect them more than I hate you. So i'll let you off with a warning…leave lora alone! If you go anywhere near her…i will rip you apart with my bare hands! You got that you piece of shit!?" i yelled.
"You're a maniac! A goddamn maniac!" gort yelled in fear.
"I'll take that as a yes." I said. I looked at the bag of core crystals. They had no light coming from them. But being a drive wouldn't be so bad. So I grabbed one of them. "Consider this a bribe for sparing your pathetic life." i walked away. Leaving him with piss soaked pants. As i followed after my group. I saw jin waiting for me.
"I saw all that…" jin said.
"So you here to reprimand me?" i asked. He shook his head.
"No…I approve. I'm thankful that you're willing to protect lora…and if he does goes after her again... i'll hold your coat as you keep your threat. I'll even wash all the blood off after." jin said.
"Hmm. didn't know you did the laundry too. Anyway we should hurry up. Lady lora needs her knights." i said with a grin. Jin chuckled as we went on our way. We reunited with the group and took a flying titan to gormott. It was a long trip but we arrived in torigoth…only to find it burned to the ground…
"Oh no…" lora said.
"Here too?" addam asked.
"Clearly there's killing that needs doing…the slime that did this. No compassion. No respect. For the lives they trampled upon. I will find them and show them no mercy. I will send them screaming to hell!" I yelled.
"You didn't react like this with my village." mikhail said.
"I was keeping my anger in at the time. But I can't anymore. The world is already suffering thanks to malos. But then you have the scum that did this. Destroying and taking what isn't theirs. Because they believe themselves to be wolves. And the only way to deal with bastards like that. Is to grab a rifle and go wolf hunting." i said. Anger emanated from my voice.
"Lora…" jin said.
"It's…it's ok. Mother could have run away somewhere safe…" lora said. Desperately clinging onto the hope that her mother was alive…it didn't long for that hope to be crushed. As an area not far from the burned remains of gormott…we found a graveyard. Wooden makeshift gravestones all around alongside a dead gormotti. Poor guy must have used what little strength he had left to bury these people.
"This kind soul must have dug them all…" haze said. I picked up nearby shovel. And started digging. After I was done. I put the body in. buried it. And put another makeshift gravestone.
"Rest…in peace." i said. Everyone was smiling at my act of kindness. Except lora who was looking at a grave…one that had one of her charms on it. She picked it up.
"I made this for her myself…" lora said. As tears went down her face. Jin hugged her…once again…hope is crushed. We all began the walk to where we came.
"Surround them!" a soldier yelled. And before we knew it we were surrounded by guys in armor. All pointing rifles at us.
"Ardinian troops? Imperial guard!?" addam asked.
"Thieving scum! Don't think you're gonna get away with your dirty deeds!" the captain yelled. I was not in the mood for this.
"Hey tin man! We're not the ones who did this! Believe me! I want the assholes responsible for this to face the judgment for this too. Considering her mother." i said as i looked at lora. "Was a victim of this! And needless to say. None of us are in the mood! So back off!" i yelled.
"Problem captain?" a female voice said. The captain saluted as the woman came into view. She's clearly a blade. With long dark blue hair with buns that were on fire. Well at least I know the element. She definitely had the elegant lady thing down. With a dress that looked like it was good for a ballroom dance but practical for combat. Though i don't get how she can see anything with her eyes closed like that.
"Lady brighid! They're brigands! Same one who attacked the village, perhaps!" the captain said. I facepalmed. Lora just had her heart and hope smashed to pieces and this is seriously the last thing we need right now.
"We are not the ones who did this! Are your ears permanently closed like her eyes are!? our friend here just got the horrible news that her mother is dead! And the least thing we need right now is to be harassed by a bunch of armed morons who are barking up the wrong tree! So stop wasting everyone's time and go find the actual scumbags who did this! I'll buy a front row seat for the hanging!" i yelled. Only to dodge a fiery whip. Swung by brighid.
"Captain. I shall deal with these individuals. Emperor hugo must be briefed." brighid said.
"Yes ma'am. You lot! Stay here and assist lady brighid" the captain said as he ran off.
"Does everyone in mor ardain just not listen for a second?" i asked. I summoned my sword. And got ready for a fight.
"Kaku. i need you to stay out of this." addam said.
"What!? Why!?" i asked.
"We need them to understand we're not the brigands. With how angry you are right now. There's a high chance you will cause a casualty. Any chance we have to end this peacefully will go up in flames." addam said.
"Personally i think that's a doomed quest. Considering these mor ardain jackasses have already proved that they're not willing to listen but whatever! I'll go hangout with the kids while you guys do the fighting." I said. I dismissed my sword and sat next to milton and mikhail.
Mythra was taking on brighid while everyone else dealt with the soldiers. No killing. Just disarming them of their rifles. I'll admit. My comrades are quite skilled. Being able to disarm with swords while not cutting at their flesh is not easy to pull off.
"I'm not done with you!" mythra yelled. As she fired a blast of light at brighid who blocked with a shield of energy. It got up close and nasty after that. I chuckled as brighid spun around like a ballerina with her swords. I just pictured her doing that across the cosmos like a shooting star. Brighid jumped up in the air. And sent fireballs down at mythra. Who swung the flames away with her sword.
"Oh come on! That was a pretty cheap trick! Keep going like that, and you'll get a reputation!" mythra yelled as she pointed her sword at brighid.
"Cheap you say?" brighid asked after her feet hit the ground. "Don't be absurd. It's called tactics look it up! But perhaps that's something a simpleton like yourself could never hope to comprehend!" brighid yelled as she slashed at mythra with her sword in whip mode. Mythra blocked the blow.
"A simpleton?" Mythra asked. Clearly triggered by being called that.
"Your attacks scream it. Clumsy, heavy, no refinement…" brighid said. Sounding arrogant and condescending as hell.
"I was going to go easy on you, but now…you pissed me off!" Mythra yelled. As she charged up her artifice.
"Mythra, stop! We've got children here!" addam yelled. And to my surprise she actually listened.
"I got a better idea…" mythra said as she looked towards me. "Kaku! Tag in!" mythra yelled. I stood up. I could already feel the grin on my face.
"As you wish lady mythra." i said.
"Sending a human to fight your battle? How cow-" brighid said. I punched her in the right cheek. I then summoned my sword.
"There's a reason she did that…and you're about to find out." i said i she tried to slash at me. But i was already up close and swinging my sword. She may have two swords. But as anyone who's seen me fight will tell you. I'm relentless. Brighid was having a hard time keeping up. I got an opening. And i took by roundhouse kicking her in the stomach. Sending her a few feet back. She extended her swords again. I grabbed them. They burnt and cut at my hands. But I quickly spun around. And once brighind was close enough I gave her a kick to the jaw. I summoned my sword. As she got up.
"What are you so angry at?" brighid asked.
"I already told you why! Are your ears permanently closed like your eyes? My friend just realized her mothers died. She hasn't had time to grieve because you mor ardain assholes labeled us as brigands because we were in the area which made us the easiest targets! No questions asked. They were there! So lock them up! Throw away the key! See you next life!" i yelled.
"No…it's not that. I can tell from the way you fight…aggressive. Angry. Complete disregard for your own life. I've seen other who've fought like you have…they've all had something terrible happen to them…and the way they fight. They take their pent up anger on their enemy. So what happened to you? Why do you have this burning desire to fight and take your anger on your enemies?" brighid asked. I sighed.
"Even if I was willing to tell you…I couldn't. All i remember about my past is my name…everything before i met lora and jin in that forest…it's a black void." i said.
"You have amnesia?" brighid asked.
"Yeah…but enough about this." i said as i readied my sword. "Let's finish this!" i yelled. I charged at her. Her whip swords let flames all over. I charged through the flames. Something brighid didn't expect. As her guard was down. I swung my sword. Cutting off both her arms. She screamed in pain. I kicked her to the ground.
"Kaku!" addam yelled. Not happy about my display of cruelty.
"Oh relax. She's a blade. Those will grow back. Let's get out of here before the tin men come back." i said.
"Just because they can regenerate doesn't mean they can't feel pain!" lora yelled.
"I am aware. That banshee-like scream kind of clued me in. it's her fault for not listening. I made it clear to them we weren't the brigands. It's not my fault that they refused to listen." i said. Not giving a damn.
"All of you, lay down your arms!" a boy yelled. I turned around to see that captain from earlier. Alongside him was some blue haired kid in armor. He had a sword and shield on his back. To his right. Was what I thought was a common blade at first. But had like a white cape. And had a bit more of a human face. A pretty bland looking rare blade if you ask me.
"Your majesty, please flee! This one is dangerous!" brighid yelled.
"I'm aware brighid…Aegaeon can you help her? That looks…painful." the boy said.
"Understood your majesty." aegaeon said. As he went to get brighid out of harm's way. I readied my sword.
"There's no need for more violence." the kid said.
"Maybe you should have told that idiot next to you that. I told him that we weren't the ones who caused this. But it seems that one thing of the mor ardain army is that they straight up refuse to listen to anyone." i said. I can't see the captains face but i could tell from his body language that that wasn't too happy about my comment.
"I apologize for that…it's nice to make your acquaintance. Berserker of torna." the kid said with a smile…i've already got a nickname? Guess people have seen me rip apart monsters on the road. And have already spreaded the word.
"Berserker of torna…it's so fitting that i'm at a loss for words." mythra said. The kid then walked towards addam.
"It's good to see you again prince addam. Please forgive the actions of my guards." the boy said.
Don't you worry about it. I'm glad to see you well. Your imperial majesty. " addam said.
"Imperial….majesty?" lora asked.
"Who is this kid?" i asked.
"May i introduce to you. The emperor of mor ardain. Hugo ardanach." addam announced.
"The ardanian emperor!?" lora asked. I facepalmed.
"The prince of torna is a spaz. While the emperor of mor ardian isn't even old enough to drink…i'm starting to worry about the royalty of these lands." i said.
"Will you please stop calling me that?' addam asked.
"When you stop being a spaz." mythra said. Her voice screaming that she was done with addams bs. She's been done with it for a long time.
"I've come for the aegis…its actions has been felt in mor ardain as well, we're currently chasing it down." hugo said.
"The same as us then. But coming here yourself?" addam asked.
"My brother is ruling in my absence." hugo said
I see. So you brought brighid and aegaeon with you?" addam asked. Everyone looked at him in confusion. "Those two are the crown jewels of the ardainian forces. Wielding them on the front lines is the duty of who sits on the throne." addam said.
"I get brighid…but this guy?" i asked as i pointed towards aegaeon.
"What's your problem with him?" lora asked.
"...before i got a closer look at him. I thought he was a common blade. Until i noticed the white cape the human face…and the…tubes. For a legendary blade. You expect a more unique look. The noble lady of flames over there got that in the back. This guy…just looks like an upgraded common blade." i said.
"I assure you…my combat prowess makes up for my "bland" appearance." aegaeon said. I shrugged.
"Let's hope so. So where do we go from here?" i asked.
"Well. you did say we needed to gather allies and come up with a plan. So why not start now?" addam asked.
"You of all people said that?" Brighid asked.
"Just because I fight insanely aggressively doesn't mean I'm an idiot. Ask my group. The way i act in combat and out are like day and night." i said. The conversation kind of took a sad turn…as hugo and addam discuss how they're both terrified of ruling. And to be honest. I can understand. Having that kind of power is a true test of strength. Will you be able to rule without any problems. Or will what your ruling fall apart over one hiccup. Will you let the power go to your head and become a tyrant? Or will someone you trusted do awful stuff behind your back and then blame it on you while they run away with their ill gotten booty. As the misguided mob rips you apart? And most terrifying of it. What will happen to who you are? Will to be able to remember who you truly are? Or will your public mask become your true face. When you walk by a mirror. Will you actually see yourself? Or is the person in the mirror a complete stranger to you? These are the battles a ruler must fight…one I don't know how to fight. It's not a battle that can be fought with a sword. Which is why i'm glad to not have a drop of noble blood in my veins…at least i hope so
'I'd be happy that you called me hugo like old times." hugo said. Putting an end to their sad conversation.
"I will, dear hugo. But only if you call me addam in return." addam said.
"So…should we give you guys some privacy before you two kiss?" i asked.
"What!? we're not doing that!" hugo yelled.
"Why would you assume that!?" addam yelled.
"Well you called him "my dear hugo." so I assumed you two were lovers." i said. Both of them blushed in embarrassment. I heard mythra bursting out in laughter. Lora was trying to contain her laughter. But she was failing miserably. Jin was looking at them with a sweatdrop. Haze was giggling.
"Well. it would be beneficial to share our findings. But perhaps somewhere else would be better?" addam asked.
"How about your majesty's flagship?" aegaeon asked.
"Indeed." hugo said.
"Flag…ship?" lora asked.
"What's up lora?" i asked.
"I'm not…very good in that kind of stuffy environment."
"You're not alone there! That's the worst." mythra said.
"I agree with the two beautiful ladies." i said. Mythra and lora blushed. While jin was giving me a threatening look. "Oh relax jin. I'm not planning on stealing your girlfriend. Just complimenting her." i said. Jin went wide eyed while lora's face was red.
"But…we're not…" jin said. His face doesn't show it. But he's clearly flustered.
"We're not….we're not dating!" lora yelled. Her face red.
"With how close you two are?...it's only a matter of time." i said with a grin. One that was wiped away quickly as the rod of haze's crosier was introduced to the back of my head.
"That's enough out of you mister!" haze yelled.
"Yes mommy." I said.
"I think i'll sit this particular venture out." lora said.
"Yeah so will i…knowing me. I would get angry and say something that would ruin everything." i said.
"Yeah. i'm out to" mythra said. Her arm was grabbed by addam.
"Oh no you don't." addam said.
"Is she?" hugo asked.
"This is mythra, one of the aegises." addam said. Mythra gave a hmph. "Lora. your account. would be valuable as well." addam said.
"Everything i've seen or heard. Jin will know as well." lora said.
"Y-yeah that's true." jin said. Clearly not wanting to leave lora's side.
"Please, would you go instead of me, please?" lora asked.
"Kaku…keep lora safe." jin said.
"Leave it to me and haze…we'll keep the princess safe." i said.
"Oh come on…i'm…not a princess." lora said as she scratched her cheek with her finger.
"To your blades you are." i said with a smile. Jin and haze chuckled.
"Well then, shall we?" hugo asked. And away they went. Leaving me alone with lora and haze.
We visited lora's mothers grave again. I went to gather some flowers.
"At first I thought to take it…but i'd made it for her. And i'd like her to keep it forever." lora said. I approached with a bouquet of flowers.
"You never told me what flowers your mother liked…so i just grabbed a bunch." I said. I put the flowers on the grave. "Don't worry about lora…she has people who care about her. And two knights who will do everything to protect her…she'll be fine. So please…rest easy." i said.
"Thank you…kaku." lora said. With her hands on her heart and with a grateful smile. Haze nodded in approval.
"So…the bitch is dead, is she? Shame, i had a soft spot for her." a voice that pissed me off said behind us said. I turn around to see that bastard gort. And he wasn't alone. A bunch of men armed with lances and axes were with him. "Guess you learned to learn a weapon at least. Big change from a tiny kid trying' not to piss herself in fear." gort said.
"You're…no!" lora yelled.
"Gort…i'm feeling generous. So i'll give you a chance to walk away…if your ugly horse's ass of a face isn't out of my sight in the next thirty seconds. I will go through with my threat! You know damn well what I'm talking about!" i yelled.
"That you'll rip me apart with your bare hands? I'm aware you damn psychopath! But this time. I've got you outnumbered. So here's how it goes down. My boys are going to stab you to death. And i'll reclaim what that brat stole from me. I'm going to make that blade watch as i cut you into little sticky chunks!" gort proudly announced. Sickened and enraged. I summoned my sword.
"Kaku…your hair is glowing." haze said.
"To those of you who don't want to die today! Drop your weapons and run! Or don't. I don't care which. Just know. That nothing will stop me from ripping that hideous mistake to pieces!" i yelled. All the men with gort drew their weapons…guess there was no takers….there mistake. Numbers didn't mean a thing as i sliced the mercenaries in two. Though one did get a lucky blow. And put his spear in my back. But that didn't end well for him. I grabbed him by his throat. Removed the spear from my back. And stabbed him with it. I then kicked him in the torso. His head was now in my hand with the spine attached. I dropped it. The rain was washing away the blood. There was a lot of it. Gort went for lora. But I grabbed him by his head. And threw him like the garbage he was. I dismissed my sword. And walked towards him. The look of fear in his face was fantastic to see.
"G-g-get away from you god damn maniac!" gort yelled. He rushed at me with his robot arm blade. But I grabbed it and crushed it. He tried to make a run for it. But i grabbed him by his head again. And threw him back. I got up to him. And grabbed him by the throat.
"You, were, warned," i said. I got ready to rip this piece of garbage to pieces like i promised.
"Kaku! Stop! Please…no more bloodshed." lora begged. I heard footsteps. And i saw my allies at the slope that leads to the village.
"By the architect…" addam said.
"One man did all this?" hugo asked.
"Berserker of torna really fits well. Yikes." mythra said.
"Fine…" i said. I let him up. He turned around tried to make a run through it. But i made certain he didn't get very far by snapping his neck.
"Kaku!" lora yelled.
"What? You said no more bloodshed? And there was no more bloodshed." i said.
"I think…she wanted you to spare his life." haze said.
"Something i was straight up not gonna do." i said. Jin jumped down from the cliff. Relieved that lora was okay. But looking at the massacre with horror.
"What did you do?" jin asked.
"Did what I promised. Kept lora safe. These idiots were stupid enough to follow gort on his revenge on lora for the shit he did to himself. Honestly? Who is gonna miss a bunch of worthless mercs?" i said. Lora kneeled at her mothers grave. "You mind telling why you wanted me to spare that vile scum?" i asked.
"He might have deserved it…but he did take care of my mother. So…" lora said.
"So…that means he had a right to slice you up…when you were a defenseless kid? You're too soft lora." I said.
"You're probably right…but is that such a bad thing?" lora asked.
"I suppose not…that's what make you you i suppose. Better than being a monster who's only good for hurting others…like me." i said. Lora quickly got up and looked at me right in the eyes.
"Stop that! Don't talk about yourself like that!" lora yelled.
"Why not? It's true…" i said.
"You're not a monster kaku! You've done nothing wrong! You're our friend! I trust you!" lora yelled. Those words…i couldn't believe them.
"You….you trust me?" i asked.
"Of course. Now come on…we have to get that blood off you." lora said. I followed them….but those words rang through my head….lora…trusts me? Why? All i've done is like an enraged beast…all i've done is hurt and kill…so why…why would you trust me?...why lora?