[Chloe]
As she marched out into the cold, dark streets of Ken, she looked at her notes once more to see if the information on it was correct. The note was written in Olga's hand, something that she was quite familiar and intimate with. Yet, also odd for her in how clandestine all of this is. It's not that she doesn't trust what Olga has in store, it's just her being more confused by the fact that why this is all needed. If she had a plan, she'd tell everyone. Last time she checked, she has been on good terms with Celestine fairly recently.
Guess the only way she'll find out is if she actually goes there.
So she stopped by it's door, and knocked on it. The door opening not long after to answer her. The face of a young man was there to greet her, and from what she can tell, just stopped whatever he was doing since he looked like he just got done washing the dishes, and managing some of the patrons.
"Not to be rude, but you could've just walked in." He muttered to himself before letting her in. "Welcome, is there something that you need of us?"
"Yeah, I have." She said bluntly as she showed him a note. "She is in here, right?"
"U-uh, yeah. Must have wanted you to see it then. Come in, and I'll show you the way."
She didn't say anything to him after that, only caring about walking in and seeing what Olga wants her to see. As the Assistant closed the door, he went behind the desk and quickly opened a cellar door. The Dark Elf raised a brow at the sight, as she was sure that such a place didn't need to have something so clandestine for their operations. Then again, it's not like such a thing can be used for occasions such as this. Better than whining, or even arguing as to why Olga would want to meet her inside of a cellar door in a random tavern inside of Ken, she just walked down. When she made it down to the bottom, she was surprised with what she saw.
She saw Olga, sitting down with her legs crossed, her staff by her side as she looks into some kind of scrying glass, and accompanied by Kaguya holding onto a grimoire, and other magical tomes and scrolls at her side as well. It would've been amusing to see what kind of divination ritual they're planning on doing if it wasn't for the fact that there was something to discuss between her and Olga.
"You need of me, Olga?" She said softly, and the Elf looked at her from where she was.
"Nice to see that you have come here." She said with a smile.
"Well, you need something of me, so I came on over." Chloe said in a matter-of-fact-tone. "However, I wasn't expecting to see all of... This. This is beyond something for something like me. What is this for anyway?"
"To find whatever drives the Necromancer..." Olga said as her eyes went serious as Kaguya flips through pages. "Being able to use such Dark Magic is one thing, but I can't help but feel that something darker is what drives him. Or something that brought him back."
"Surely you don't think that he's being controlled, much less possessed, right? I talked to him, and he seemed the same to me."
"And I'm staying on the side of caution... Whatever brought him back is something of concern to me." She says as she looks at the glass. "He didn't even have a phylactery, or anything that would ensure that he would be brought back if such an event occurs. As much as I want to believe it was something good that brought him back, my staff said otherwise."
Chloe's ears perked up at that. She didn't really think much about it back then, but of course, if anyone were to know anything about some form of sorcery, it would have been her, and she wouldn't have been surprised that Celestine herself would know too. More than anything, if what Olga is saying is true... then that's a huge problem. The man from before that willingly raised an undead army onto their continent as a way to wage war against Volt might not even be the same anymore. She grits her teeth that one day, they might have to plunge a sword into his back if it means saving this land.
She... She really doesn't want to do that. If it wasn't for him, they would still be slaves, but now... It seems that the enemy of their enemy, is still an enemy of theirs as well.
"I can't find anything." She heard Kaguya mumble in slight frustration. "Out of anything I can find in regards to Necromancy, none of the grimoires we have now delve into how Kazuma resurrected. The only thing I can find is again, through a phylactery, but that would end up meaning that he is quintesentially a lich if we were to go with that point."
"I doubt that since I'm sure he still has a dick." She said rather bluntly, and when she saw the look of Kaguya's face in response, she just grins cheekily at her. "I mean, it doesn't have to be a dick, he still has meat on him."
"Well, that I know." Kaguya said, brushing off whatever she said. "It's just that since Olga was concerned, I decided to at least help her look into it, especially after how she was talking about it."
"But why in a tavern? Surely we can do this in a room, right?" She asked. "It's just odd that we'd choose a tavern for all of this."
"Just in case I am accused of treason." Olga replied. "Even if Celestine agrees with me that something dark could be the reason why he lived... She wouldn't want to hear 'treason' from me. Not because it is treason, but because someone would suspect me of it."
"So you being in a tavern makes it less likely so? Makes sense, I guess, but I'm still hoping that we don't have to betray him."
"Hopefully we don't." Olga agreed. "As much as I distrust the reason for his resurrection, I am still glad, and thankful that he has saved us... I just... Don't like what I saw back there. More than anything, I would like it if you were to at least keep an eye on him."
"I... I will try." Chloe said, and saluted her with a fist to her chest.
"Good." Olga said with a smile, and even patted her head before looking at Kaguya. "I know we have already established that we can't find anything, but can you at least make a guess."
"I am trying." Kaguya said, feeling a bit stressed with looking for such info, making her reply sound a bit harsh. She picks up book, after book, tome after tome, to see if there is anything in there that could give her answer. "The only possibility of Kazuma being resurrected probably lies upon a demon."
"A demon? Then he might have made a pact with one then..." Olga pondered. "Demons don't do that unless they have an investment on someone... The question now remains is this... Who is the demon that made a pact with him?"
"It appears that this is a mystery for now." Kaguya said as she picked up the books and tomes. "Maybe we'll find out, maybe we won't... All that matters now is if our savior will become our enemy."
'I fucking hope not.' Chloe screamed inside of her head. She can't afford to even think about the possibility of her stabbing him in the back, much less even try to pull it off. He was the one that managed to save them, it's just that they weren't able to cut off the head of the snake, and it sucked that even if they were to, she knows for a fact that Volt's own commanders would find a way to mount an offense. Why would she want to plunge a knife on his back? Don't get her wrong, she understands their concerns it's just... would it really come to that?
Her wishes of such a problem not coming to pass, repeats inside of her like a broken record, as if it's her way of praying to the gods beyond, and as a way to cope. Her life has already been bad enough as is, she cannot afford to let whatever good grace happens to her be taken away a second time. Even if she has to stay by his side to ensure he won't turn, then so be it! Better watching over him like a hawk than lose everything!
"I'll go to him!" She yells out, and from the looks of both Kaguya and Olga, that came out a lot more tense than it needed to be. "I'll watch over him, make sure that doesn't happen!"
"Chloe calm down." Olga tried to calm her down. "You don't have to be worried about-"
"No, I'll do it, don't worry about how, I'll do it." She blurted out once more. "I just... can't let that happen, and I don't want to kill him! I just can't!"
The elf shakes, holding onto both of her arms as she tries to at least have some modicum of composure, but it's clear that it's failing. Olga can only sigh and gave her a hug, patting her back as she feels her clinging onto her with desperation. Not like she can fault her for being worried about it, much less not liking that prospect... Maybe it would be a good idea to let her do that, have her worst fears be taken away by ensuring it doesn't happen. For all you know, maybe they're concern is just unfounded paranoia.
"I'll allow it, Chloe, but I don't mean it as an order. If it really bothers you that much, then by all means, go to him... He might like it that you're willing to look after him."
"You make it sound like as if I'm his mother or something." Chloe whined, yet, she's calm since she now has an opportunity. "I'll try my best, okay?"
"I'll send out a message through a pigeon." Kaguya said. "Thorn has been doing well since I managed to retake it. I just hope that he accepts."
"Then go and get it done, Kaguya. It means a lot for us." Olga said, and Kaguya smiled as she left them be.
It didn't take long for the Dark Elves to follow suit, leaving the cellar, paying no mind if some people within the tavern have seen them, not like they'll be able to stop them, much less send word to Volt, he's still busy licking his wounds, which led to them gathering at Olga's old fort. Of course, that doesn't mean that the forts were now theirs for the taking, they may have 4 now, but that still made them victim to the unintended stalemate. Regardless of that fact, it was now up to Chloe to guard over Kazuma for the time being. She quickly got onto a horse, and rode over to Thorn.
[Kazuma]
He took a deep breath and sighed as he laid his head on Claudia's lap. He felt her hand gently stroking his hair, making it clear that he was in good hands. A part of him wondered if Klaus would get mad at the sight of him in this position with her, but then again, he doubt that he would. Claudia herself invited him to it, and he went with it, not wanting to argue since he is nothing more but a guest in their keep.
"I never realized how you kept your hair so soft... I must ask, how do you keep it soft?"
"I just wash it like how everyone else does it" Kazuma replied. "Why? Is it that important?"
"No, just wondering." Claudia giggled. "Don't concern yourself with that. You must be tired after riding out from Ansur to here, especially after you have raised the dead here, so please... rest. Though, I will admit, I never thought I'd see someone so young to get white hair."
He looked at her aghast, his eyes wide before he suddenly looked away, a faint, rosy blush on his pale cheeks... He never really felt conscious with how he looked, since no one ever really mentioned it to him, but that didn't mean he can't feel some judgement on him. That is something that even Claudia herself is seeing, from how... Doll-like he seems to be. Maybe that's the wrong word, it's just more her noticing that despite him being the necromancer, he's surprisingly thin. Not in the laky, twig-like sense of thin, and along with how gentle and soft his face is.
"I mean... doing the magic that I know off can come with it's problems..." He said, trying to at least answer whatever questions she may have in regards to, well, what she might ask. "I haven't forgotten what it used to look like. It was dark, like coal, just like my sister's."
"I do know about that... Now that I think about it, I don't really know much of your family."
"Well, I am a bastard, that much is sure, same as my sister. I didn't really think much of it, other than being indifferent to my parents. My grandparents were the ones that raised me, not them. As much as you're curious about it, don't worry about it. Better than bogging you down with my own troubles."
Claudia frowns a little at that, but decides not to argue, she wants him to at least have some form of comfort, and the last thing she needs is for him to become potentially agitated over this. Kazuma then raises himself up from her lap and sits down, and she can tell from his eyes that he seems to be reminiscing about... everything. Maybe she can talk to him about all of this instead, have him air out his grievances, or at least, help him with what he feels.
"Do you sometimes wonder how different things would be if you didn't make the choices you made?" He began. "Would things be better, or would things be worse?"
"I thought you said that I shouldn't be too too worried about your troubles." She japed. "But to answer that, it... depends, really. For all you know, maybe the things happened could either have a reason, or just how it was for everyone. I mean, I think about how things would be if I were to deal with the dogs, but then... you wonder if you can."
The necromancer hummed before he looked at his hands, and with his magic, he made them glow, and glowing green wisps encircle his fingers and his palms before making them disappear. He thought back to that one place where he learned his magic, the old, misty, ruined fort. He thought back to the demon that gave him that place, and how he spent 7 years in there, learning, practicing, and studying the dark arts of magic, while at the same time, trying to see if he can master the lighter side of magic. He channeled his magic again, and from there, small specks of light came out, like dandelions at the gentle breeze before they too disappeared momentarily.
"Wow. If you can pull off something like that, you must be quite the sorcerer."
"No, not really." He quickly replied. "I don't really want to consider myself a powerful sorcerer."
"But the lights." She reiterated. "I find it hard to believe doing something like that would not make you great."
"But I can't make it last long. The longest I made them last for was 20 minutes. If I was great, I would make them last for an hour." He said, waving his hands. "It's just... It appears that I may have failed with my objectives."
"And how could you fail with your study with magic? As much as people can complain about the ethics of Necromancy, you were able to raise the dead, and spread them out parts of the continent like a plague, and you're trying to be humble about it?" She pouted. "Surely you're not deceiving yourself."
"It's just a simple form of magic. All it does is make them move again, which is why I can do spread them outwards, it doesn't need a lot of practice." He said with a nervous smile. "Think about it like a puppet with some kind of... 'Automation' spell, or anything that makes it move. It walks, and it moves around, but it has no mind of it's own, no will. It can follow orders, and do what you want, but it also can't do tasks that are too complex for it, like figuring out how to grab a toy from the ceiling without telling it how to. It's like that."
"So that is why you weren't struggling with them then? You just put them back on strings?"
"I mean, the command was simple enough. They may not march in formation, but if I want them to siege a fort, they'll do it." He said as he lays his hands on his side. "I hope it didn't shatter whatever belief you had of me."
"I mean, not shattered, but it did give me a new perspective." She said with a comforting smile. "I guess if I have to inflate your ego, it is pretty brave of you to go against Volt, despite of what you already know."
"Well, that's the reason why I'm... thinking about all of this. Would I have even become some kind of "Hero" to all of you, or would I be enslaved, or dead? Then again, saying this all out loud might have actually given me my answer." He said, chuckling a little bit as he slumps into his position in the couch.
"Hmmm... Well, in regards to you're magic. How did you learn of it?" She asked, since she might as well since he's here.
"Hmmm, since you're asking... I learned about it because after I was exiled... I found a misty, ruined fort. I didn't go inside because it called for me, I went in because it wanted me to. Didn't really have much of a choice either, but... fuck it, I was in exile, so I went."
"What did you see in there?"
"A tall, lanky demon who told me that the fort has 'found it's heir'... Even I didn't believe it, but I thought it would be better than dying in the cold, or just death in general." He said nonchalantly, like it was something that is normal. Then again, Claudia can understand, since something like that would be favorable. "And after that, it just... gave me a book, and I decided that if I were to fulfill my belief, then I'll do it then."
"So for 7 years, you studied dark magic." She said questioningly.
"That's the funny thing, it didn't feel like it was 7 years for me, it felt like... decades. I don't know if time moved differently there, or I was so engrossed in my studies that I didn't realize 7 years have passed. Which is why I feel like I failed in one aspect, and that is to prove that learning both Dark and Light shouldn't be considered impossible, it's just magic. A simple fire spell can be used for good as it can light a torch, or a campfire, but can also be used for evil by burning down houses and crops... However, it appears that I have used more Dark than Light..."
"Don't worry, you have the time." She said with a smile. However, their time alone will be interrupted as Klaus comes in, holding onto a letter.
"I have some news from Thorn." He said, walking over to his wife. "It's in regards to the Necromancer."
"Me...?" Kazuma muttered in concern as he sees it being passed, and he watches as Claudia reads it.
"Kaguya wants to see you, interesting." She mutters as she reads some more. "Seems that there's something she wants from you, so, it appears you have another fort you need to go to."
"I'll go over there now if it's important." He stood up from his seat before she stopped him.
"No, No, you can worry about it tomorrow, just take your rest." She said to him. "Please, take it from me."
Kazuma sighed, but of course, he doesn't argue. She had a point, and he could use that. She has been a gracious host to him, and might as well take the hospitality for what it's worth. He bid her a goodbye and went to the guest room prepared just for him. He jumped into the bed, and he closed his eyes to welcome a night of sleep.
After he had his breakfast and bade his farewell once more to Claudia before setting off once again, heading to Thorn as his ever growing army of of Undead march with him. What could Kaguya want with him? Then again, what does she even want with him, since he hasn't really talked to her before, but then again, he could just be overthinking about her reasons. it could just be a simple conversation, no need for any niceties, or grandiose, complex reasons, it could just be someone that wants to have an honest chat with him, and he doubts that this is some kind of ploy.
Deciding that it would be better for him to actually see it with his own eyes, he just focuses on riding over there in the first place. As he sees it over by the horizon, he is quite surprised to see a welcoming committee of whatever guards they can spare to stand out by the gates, lining up into formation, and stood side by side before they saluted him. He didn't know what to make of this kind of standing ovation. Not that he expected to have the same conversation from a guard yesterday, but he isn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
He walked right in with his army, and from there, he saw shrine maidens along with Kaguya front and center with it all, smiling at him. It seems that she really did bring the customs of the far off lands of the East with her. Now that he thought about it... The demon that he talked to from the other side did say that his family is not dead, just not in here... That would only mean that they have escaped, he just doesn't know where they are. Maybe they found themselves on another continent somewhere, or maybe an island, but he'll only know if he looks for it himself. He has found an excuse to go beyond the seas as well, so if he ever finds himself wondering if there's anything else he can do after this, then there's his answer... Searching for his family.
"Nice to see that you have come." She said as she walked over to him.
"Well, I wanted to see what you have to say to me, so here I am." He said, feeling a bit shy that it didn't sound so grandiose compared to what everyone is doing for him.
Nonetheless, the miko grabbed his hand and lead him inside her keep. He didn't put up too much of a fuss, because why would he? There is something for them to discuss, and if it had to be private, well, it will be private. But he also couldn't help but ask.
"What's the welcoming for?"
"Oh, nothing much but a simple formality." She said matter-of-factly. "It's the least I could do for what you have done for us, and well, this is what I can give."
"Well, I thank you for that then."
She only kept on smiling and focused on moving in deeper. A part of him felt that he should be concerned about it, but that would just be misplaced paranoia. He should be more concerned about why he feels two eyes staring at him from somewhere in the keep. Despite that, Kaguya seems to be unbothered, and in turn... Maybe he can stop worrying about that, and just focus on the good stuff.
After a while of walking, she lead him to her private chambers, and from there, he suddenly felt shy, meek, flustered at what is going to happen because of what he thinks is going to happen. He nervously fidgets with his fingers, and becomes quite anxious, which is something that Kaguya picked up on it.
"You're acting quite flustered over there. Why, what's wrong?" She asked as he nervously looks at her.
"Well, we are going to your private chambers, and w-well... Are we going to do it?" He asked, as shy as a maiden to finally see a knight in shining armor.
She couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing. Is this something that the others know? Or is she the first one to see this side of the Necromancer. A part of her just wants to either tease him for what it's worth, or screw it, sink her teeth into a shy lad that just seems adorable to her at this specific moment. She can't help it, she wants to see since she has an opportunity.
But it would be mean, so she spared him by explaining what is actually going to happen. Seeing as how the young man relaxed after her explanation, she felt herself wanting to pout a little bit, but what she wants to talk about is quite important, so she remains professional for now and enters her room with him in tow. She situated herself with him on the bed, and now, it's time to ask the important questions. Most importantly, one that made him who he is in the first place, when she asked him that, she saw how his shoulders slumped, and how the memories come rushing in, thinking back on that day that made him saw that fort.
"So, you saw a fort, but the only way, at least, how you see it is that there was some kind of wisp that came to you?"
"It did." He confirmed. "It was also misty too, but looking back at it, I can already tell that the fort might not exist in any record... If it did, you would have heard about it at some point."
She contemplated on his words. He does have a point since this is something that she this has been the first time she has heard about this, and she doubts she'd be able to find anything similar in regards to Eostia's history. There could be some records of people claiming to find something similar like that, but that would just divert attention away from the real issue, and that is Vult's army. However, it could be worth looking in, especially since the idea of Kazuma's powers might make him an enemy hangs over her and Olga.
Nonetheless, this could be worth looking into, and it seems that Kazuma was able to catch on as he narrows his eyes a little out of suspicion.
"Don't... don't tell me that you don't trust me anymore." He said before looking away at her.
"Well, it isn't a matter of us not trusting you, it's out of concern." She says, deciding to let him know everything since he already caught on. "Ever since you have been resurrected, Olga has been concerned about what brought you back."
"I've heard about that..." He said softly as he looks at her again. "So this is about that then... What do you want to know?"
"What did you see on the other side?" She asked, getting straight to the point. "Did you also talk to something there as well? Was it some kind of demon?"
"Pretty much." He confirmed. "Although, my conversation with her was kind of odd... It is something that is tied to my powers, and with my book. She said that I intrigue her..."
"How did you intrigue her...? Not only that, is she some kind of powerful demon to grant you this kind of power?"
"Well, I don't know if it's a she, the demon was quite thin, but we would just be wasting time trying to figure out so... It said that I was intriguing because of my belief... and that is the idea that Dark Magic and Light Magic just... doesn't exist, there is only magic. The only thing that makes them good or evil is how we use it, and that is apparently good enough for like that." He explained as he adjusts his seat. Kaguya listened to what he said, and she couldn't help but be partially concerned... by his ambition.
"You walk a fine line between madness and sanity, Kazuma." Kaguya said in a concerned tone. "Don't get me wrong, I see your point, it's just... those things are separate for a reason. Not all magic is good, and not all are bad, but... Again, those are separate for a reason... Making pacts with demons is seen as taboo for that reason... Don't tell me you did, and that's why you were able to talk to it."
"I didn't, but..." He then grabbed the book that he learned his dark craft from. "It gave it to me when I was led to the fort, and since then, I've been studying it since. I haven't read it much now because of what was going on... Doesn't surprise me that it might be the reason why I know some powerful magic, but I tend to forget others."
She looked upon the Dark Book that he had in his possession, and she couldn't help but pale at the sight of it. She isn't sure if Kazuma realized, but this book was bound in skin, and not the animal kind. The skull laid in front of the cover seemed to scream perpetually as the embezzled emeralds glow as if it was to show that in some way, shape and form... It was alive. Uncertainty couldn't even begin to describe the feelings Kaguya has, especially since the Necromancer might not even know that this book isn't something to accept as normal.
Still, she held onto his hand, and from there, Kazuma felt a pair of arms wrap around him. He looked over to see who it is, and it was someone unfamiliar to him. It was an elf, similar to Olga, but blonde and shorter in stature compared to her, hugging him along with grief-stricken eyes and tightly clinging to him. It was odd to see him being the recipient of something like that, but at the same time... He also can't help but feel pity for her.
"Chloe..." Kaguya sighed, and from there, Kazuma knew the name.
"Chloe..." He repeated, and he gently grabbed her hand and tried to remove them, but she was gripping him tightly. He suppose that he can't blame her, but he also doesn't understand why. What could make her be so... protective over someone she hasn't met yet.
"You have to excuse her... This really means a lot to her." Kaguya said softly. "You see, we brought you here because we wanted to be sure that you can actually stay on our side... We were worried that whatever brought you back would end up making you our... enemy. We don't want that, and we don't want another one. This place has seen enough war, and I would like it if... you're going to be the last one."
"I understand that." He consoled her. "I suppose that I am to blame in some capacity here, especially since I was exiled before... Kind of hard to believe that someone's judgement would be enough to ensure that someone won't fall victim to the dark whispers of power."
"Can you at least promise that...?" Chloe pleaded to him. "Can you really be sure that you would actually save us? Please, we need to know...! I need to know!"
"I can. I can promise that I won't be an enemy." He affirmed to her, and he felt her grip loosen. He tried again with gently removing her arms from him, and thankfully, she let go.
So this is why she wanted him to be here in her fort, she wanted to know if things would stay the way they are right now. Of course, this could be an assassination plot since Chloe was able to sneak up to him just to deliver a hug, but... he understands. Judgement isn't enough, and of course, with a dark book of magic, he also has to admit that he learned more about the dark arts than actually trying to balance it with the good coin of magic. It appears that the demon's words are starting to come true, where he has yet to prove it wrong, or to prove it right...
Now that he thinks about it, has he actually been corrupted all this time, or not? Then again, looking back on what the demon said, that doesn't seem likely. Just what kind of choices would he have to keep on making to ensure that the demon is proven wrong, that he would actually use his dark powers for something good, and in turn, prove that magic is magic, there is no light or dark, just is... Would he even attain that goal, or would he actually lose due to a hubris he was too late to find.
Well, if the Shields were concerned that he might become an enemy... If he can promise them that he won't, then he can ask them this.
"Can you promise me that I make the right choices?" He asked both of them. "Can you ensure that I will remain as your friend, and not an enemy..."
"Is it to ensure that whatever that demon said to you, you can be sure to prove it wrong?" Kaguya said, knowing the reason why. After seeing him nod, she smiled softly, and hugged him, assuring him that things will be fine.
Author's Note:
Okay, I will admit a couple of things in regards to this story, and the most important one is that if some of you notice that more chapters tend to be released whenever a year is about to end. It's because I tend to become self-conscious about that fact. Soon, this fanfic will become 5 years old the moment the new year rolls around, and honestly, if it wasn't because my time gets consumed by matters in life, it would have been finished either last year, or this year. One thing for sure however is that the ending for this thing is coming soon, the only thing I need to do is get some of the established plotlines resolved, so if I have to guess, might need either 3 more chapters before the finale.
I can't promise it unfortunately, because again, my time tends to get taken by other things, so if it feels like whatever I have established from before seems to have been forgotten, I will take accountability for it. I still have a definitive plan for how this story goes, and in turn, hopefully I keep to my promise and finish it before I worry about making another story. If I do make another fanfic, I might keep it simple so that way, I don't worry about grand schemes, but that's for future me to worry about.
Regardless, I hope that you all have had your Happy Holidays, and hopefully, the next year would be good as I hope that maybe mine would be, and for everyone that read this story that I started when I was younger and trying to figure all of this out before I settled into the tone that I'm trying to do, I hope that you somewhat liked it, or a meh in the sense that it could be worse, but at least it's not that bad. Seriously, I don't expect a lot of praise, even I can see that there are some issues here that I need to resolve if I want to be serious about making a story, even if it's just a fanfic.
Anyway, take care, and I hoped you all had fun.