Note: Originally, this was going to be longer, but I'm trying to keep these below 20 pages, unlike when I used to type, as I feel that's simply too much. But here, you get to see who Faerie inhabits, as well as how the destruction of Astoria goes.
I'm enjoying doing this, as well as hearing from you all. Thank you so much, all of you.
Light in the Sky
"Mmm...mmm!" Charlotte moaned through mouthfuls of cherry pie, her face covered in thick, baked cherries and syrupy sugar.
Both Elisa and Ralph were somewhat surprised. For such a small girl, she was quite the voracious eater. "So...I take that you enjoy it?" the red-haired mother questioned.
"Mm-hm!" Charlotte nodded, red staining her mouth. True, she and Ralph had their fill, yet Charlotte and up nearly consumed two-thirds of the baked good already. Big eyes meant a bigger stomach, it seemed. "Well, if I may be a little bold...and you don't have to answer if you don't want to-"
"What were you doing, screaming and running around for?" Ralph asked, only to receive a light knock on the head. "What? It's true!" He too began to feel guilty upon seeing the girl's features grow solemn.
"...my fwiend." Charlotte muttered.
"Yes, you mentioned that," Elisa said, going over to the blonde. "What about him?" Charlotte was silent for a moment. "It's ok. You don't have to talk if you don't want to." indeed, it seemed that Charlotte wasn't going to answer.
"But, where are your parents?" Ralph asked, despite the look he got from his mother. Again, Charlotte didn't say anything. "Well...y'know, dad...he's-"
"Ralph, please." Elisa sighed, directing her attention back to Charlotte. "But, I am curious. Where do you live, sweetie?"
"W-Wendew." the blonde sighed. "But...but I can't get back!" tears began to form again. "I twied, but...but it was wike I hit a waww!"
"So, those stories about the barrier were true," Elisa murmured. Poor thing. She was essentially stuck here. "Hey, listen." she then said. "I don't know your situation...but if you need a place to stay for the night, we're happy to open our home to you."
"W-Weawwy?"
"Sure," Elisa answered. "Now...how about some more-" she was about to ask 'more pie' but realized that the entire pie pan was empty.
Later
Jadd
The violet-haired beastman looked upward, the moon hanging high in the dark abyss above. He could feel the changes occurring already. The others could also feel it, their bodies begging to undergo the metamorphosis. Muscles expanded, and fur sprang forth from various places. Clothing was removed to prevent any damage to them, though some garments remained, mainly because they could withstand the adjustments of the body under the pale moon's light. Snouts grew, and teeth sharpened. Finally, the city's gates rumbled open, and a slew of furred beasts exited through, adrenaline and testosterone at maximums and ready to be released, lest they exert it out on this particular city.
The entrance to the inn was opened, Duran coming out with Riesz following behind. The violet-haired young woman had still been sleeping away. "All right." the soldier said to the young amazon, though she had told him no such thing. Though she imagined her appearance already told him she had at least some experience with a weapon.
"Coast is clear. Let's beat it."
"I agree." The blonde nodded.
Unknownst to them, though, a pair of eyes were observing them.
"Still…" Duran huffed. "What good is escaping if there's nothing you can defend yourself with-"
CLANG!
Both Duran and Riesz looked down, seeing a sword and spear on the ground. His sword and her spear. They looked up from where they had fallen, only to see no one or nothing. They didn't even draw near them at first, but after a few tentative moments, they reached forward and took them in their hands. From the looks of it, they didn't appear to have any damage. Still, how did they...well, at the moment, such things would have to come later. For now, the opportunity to finally reach Wendel was here, and they weren't going to waste it. "I suppose this is where we part," Riesz said. "From what I heard, the Rabite Forest is rather large, so finding the entrance will take some time."
"Well, it's not like it's going anywhere anyway." Duran agreed, looking at his sword. Then, finally, at long last, he was back on track. Riesz also looked upon her weapon yet turned her eyes to where they had fallen. She knew not why, but a specific individual came to mind.
"Well, I bid you goodbye for now, should we not meet again soon." The young woman dashed out of the gates.
"Hey, no fair!" Duran protested, running out as well.
"Would whoever's out here shut up?" a groggy voice asked, the owner coming out from the inn. "I'm finally getting a good night's sleep, and-" Angela paused, looking to see no one here. Not one soul was out tonight. As well as no beastmen. And the gates were wide open.
And from further up, Kevin emerged from his hiding place. Eager to leave, he leaped out yet waited until Angela was through the gates herself.
Rabite Forest
With a mighty throw, Ludgar threw Fureddie down to the ground, the other transformed beastman roaring and howling with excitement at the brawl. Another, Molar, rushed forward towards the blonde Werewolf, but he was intercepted and caught. He was seized by the throat and picked up, then tossed into a small part of the crowd of spectators. After this, those knocked down had become consumed with the same fighting spirit and leaped onto each other, biting, scratching, kicking, punching, any means that the body could be used against the other was done. Ludgar looked on at the spectacle, a smile coming to his snout. Such ferocity was their utmost quality. And this was a celebration of what made them what they were.
The Princeling could not even grasp such a simple, fundamental thing. So Ludgar took it upon himself to leap upon Fureddie again, wrestling the beastman and pinning him down, clawing and biting at each other. Oooh, the first few days of this operation were going GREAT! First, Jadd was secured, and next would be Wendel! And then the Light Stone itself! King Gauser had issued the decree that the task of acquiring the Mana Stones had been added to their operation, yet to Ludgar, he couldn't say, but such a sudden addition, it didn't sit right with him. Nor did the jester that just so happened to show up in his throne room either. Was it the same jester seen in the forest a short time prior? The beastman knew not. Yet, at the moment, such things would be worked out and sorted in battle, the acceleration of blood and frustration in musing them being exerted in a series of blows delivered to anyone that tried to make a move on him.
Still, perhaps this wasn't enough. This land was foreign and yet to be explored fully. The Hell Riders were out hunting, and the hounds were patrolling the city, but there was always a chance that some could slip through the cracks. Yet even if so, the hounds would catch them. Their sense of smell was unsurpassed and unmatched. And yet, this security wasn't enough to dissolve this knot in his chest. He needed more, more exertion, more release for all this adrenaline, and even more, a place to calm down.
It was then that he remembered: was there not a town nearby?
He wasn't sure, yet from his place behind the tree, Duran clenched his teeth as the light footfalls were heard, a snarl sounding just as close. Those damned golden hounds had caught sight of him and that young woman, forcing the pair to split up and run.
Now, for all he knew, he was ultimately off track again, running from these things! So now beastmen were another thing he hated just about as much as Altenian mages!
'Sh-Shit!' Duran cursed to himself; that blasted hound had swerved its head around, just missing him by mere inches. The hound snarled, eyes shifting left and right, looking for the source of the scent it had caught.
"Bite! Bite, bite!" The hound turned its head, Duran also seeing that a small, yellow creature had up and jumped into the scene to get at some pink flowers, not even realizing that it had quite literally jumped into the jaws of a predator. The Rabite yelped and hopped away, the hound chasing after it, more interested in food than tracking what its nose caught.
Well, that took care of that. Sorry. Duran thought as he looked at the hound going after the Rabite. Run as fast as you can, little guy. I hope you make it. Still, he couldn't afford any more interruptions. He had to continue. Though, he hoped that the young woman that came out with him had made it out ok too.
Astoria
Charlotte tossed and turned, moaning and whimpering. Sweat developed on her head and stained the pillow. She threw and turned and made noise until "HEATH!" she yelled, only to find the young man nowhere to be seen. The half-elf lowered her head and sighed, her blue eyes looking at the sleeping individuals in the beds next to hers. Elisa and Ralph were snoozing away, unaware of her outburst. Perhaps that was for the best, as she felt terrible for eating most of the pie earlier. Yet she was both so tired and hungry. A heavy crying spell always made her hungry. And yet, the pie did little more than giving her a stomach ache and the continued heaviness in her chest.
She wasn't going to get any more sleep, so she got up and put on her clothes, then went downstairs and opened the door. Perhaps a small stroll around town would do her some good.
It was then that she saw it.
Initially, it was from a great distance, but as it drew closer, there was no mistaking it. There was a light. A light that hung over the water. Charlotte took small, tentative steps; the light drew closer. It appeared to have a predominantly blue color, yet light shades of pink and green also appeared in the light. The light's pace was slow and steady, dipping up and down. The girl watched as it went over the homes and fields, then through the entrance to the town. Something was radiating from the light—energy of sorts. The energy radiated an otherworldly aura but also one of weakness and desperation. The power that practically beckoned begged her to follow. Yet before she could do so, Charlotte saw some distant figures approaching Astoria. Figures appeared to be covered head to toe in body hair and with rather sizable teeth. And all with malicious intent in their eyes.
"What the…" Kevin murmured, having taken to perching on a hill to better gauge the land. The light had just up and flown over his head; it was flying somewhat erratic. There was a unique quality to it, and he was about to go after to investigate, yet a shrill, high-pitched shriek drew his attention, along with the familiar sounds of howls and roars occurring a short distance away.
The trees provided enough cover from those hounds, yet Hawkeye had to admit he had more than enough tree climbing for now. Yet from his place in the branches, whizzing by his head, a strange light was seen flying off, his eyes immediately drawn to it. Leaping down from where he had once called a sanctuary, the thief looked on as it went on further and further away.
At least there were large hills to climb up, albeit small ones. Still, they provided her with some high ground. The hounds had long since gotten off her trail, probably to hunt, and for the most part, those massive birds hadn't been seen in the skies either. Perhaps they were hunting closer to the ocean? Or maybe in the deeper parts of the forest? Whatever the case, the further away she was from them, the better.
Yet then, it seemed that something else was coming this way. Just above her head, a light flew over, Riesz's eyes widening as she saw it.
She had only caught a glimpse of it and was overcome with the sudden urge to follow and investigate, yet Angela hid when she saw a wild-haired young man, presumably a soldier, looking around. Wait a moment. Wasn't he the same one from the ship?
She got little time to mull over this as she saw the light again, only now, it seemed he had seen it too.
"What the?" Duran said aloud, the strange light's pace slowing as it flew over a few slight rises in the earth before falling to the ground. Then, instinctively drawing his sword and shield, the young man approached the glowing light, seeing it begin to dissipate and reveal something that had already surprised him further steadily.
On the ground rested a small, miniature humanoid that resembled a young woman with long, blonde hair, said hair fanning and flipping outward at the bangs, the tips seemingly have a pinkish tone to them, part of her hair tied up on her head with a pair of violet flowers. A dress of sorts that seemed to consist of various small blue flowers and a giant flower as the dress covered her upper half, she had golden anklets and no footwear to be seen. However, her size wasn't all that indicated she was in no way human, as her ears were pointed, and a pair of insect-like wings were affixed to her back. The small woman moaned and breathed heavily, Duran kneeling to observe her better. Her blue eyes opened, and upon seeing the far larger human, she shrieked and began to scramble away, trying to use her wings, yet found herself barely able to get a few inches off the ground. "Whoa, hey, hey!" Duran said, going over to where she had fallen again, putting his hands up. "It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you." her posture was closed in and defensive, even more so when she knelt. "Hey, hang in there." The little woman tried to stand, but her legs shook and were wobbly, and she fell instantly. Duran lowered his hand; she saw the gesture. It took her some moments, but steadily, she climbed onto it, the calloused portions of it rough on her skin, yet it provided a firm foundation to support herself. "You ok?"
"I…" the woman sighed, clearly exhausted. "I'm all right." she looked at him. "Who...who are you, human?"
Human? She wasn't from around here. "Duran." the young man answered her. "Of Valsena." he pondered why he bothered to mention that; she probably would have no idea what he was talking about.
"Valsena…" she seemed to ponder this for a moment. "Oh! You mean the Kingdom of the Plains?" Duran nodded, somewhat surprised that she knew of such a place. "And...where is this?"
"Well, we're NEAR Jadd," Duran told her. "And I think a few miles from here is another town."
"Jadd?" the woman seemed to get excited at that. "Then please-oof!" she tried to stand but fell to a sitting position. "Please. I need to go to Wendel?"
"Wendel? What for?"
"I...I need to speak with His Eminence. The Priest of Light."
Duran knew not why, yet that old bat that had invited him into her shop came to mind. "What for?" he questioned.
"I don't have time to explain." she sighed. "But something terrible is going to happen if I don't...ah!" she tried to stand again but fell yet again. She then looked to Duran, contemplative. "Please...I...I need help."
"Well, if it does help, I'm heading there myself." the young man said, the woman's eyes widening, the first signs of hope in them. Though the way she seemed to survey and study him put him on edge.
"Well...I don't have any other choice." she sighed. "You'll have to do."
"Have to do what?" Duran questioned, yet got no further, the woman suddenly glowing the same light as before. "What the?!"
"Shh, just remain calm. Focus though. Focus on my eyes." what in the world was she talking about? Suddenly, her blue eyes began to shimmer; Duran caught himself off guard by the sudden change. Yet when he looked, he found himself trapped by them. They were piercing into his own; he felt his arm begin to bring the woman closer up to him.
What is this? he pondered; she continued to look into his eyes, and he in hers. What are you doing?
"Calm down," she muttered soothingly. "You're aware, but this is part of the bonding process. Our minds must link for it to work."
L-Link?! What the-
"Relax." she urged, reaching up to touch his face, her forehead touching his own. Then, suddenly, she began to dematerialize, her corporal form dissolving into nothingness, some stray, bright orbs of light left in her wake.
Duran found himself able to move again; the mild trance was broken. "What in the world…?"
Please don't delay! he nearly up and shrieked when he heard her. Heard her from inside? We must head to Wendel, now!
"The hell?!" the soldier shouted, holding his head. "What are you...get out!" he demanded. "What have you done to me?!"
I did nothing! The woman answered. Well...sort of. I've merely formed a bond with you. As of now, you are my host.
"You're what?!"
I'm sorry, but I had no other choice! she explained. Now, we need to get to Wendel!
"I didn't agree to this! Get out!" Duran demanded, pounding his head.
That's only hurting you, you know.
"Sh-Shut up! Get out!"
Hey, I'm sorry, but I can't do anything now! The bond's been finalized!
"You did it, so undo it!"
I can't! she exclaimed. I need you! If you hadn't have come, then-
"You tricked me!"
I did not!
"You didn't say anything about you coming into my head!"
Well...I...there's no time! We have to go to Wendel!
"Not until you get out of my head!"
I told you, I can't do that!
"Bullshit, you can't! You-"
"Uh...am I interrupting anything here?" Duran turned to see a violet-haired young woman garbed in a red leotard-like top with hanging sections, dark gloves and boots and a crown, and a necklace of a ribbon and red, diamond earrings. Her green eyes surveyed him, his cheeks flushing upon realizing she had heard everything. She looked around to see no one. "So, where's your friend?"
"Friend?" he questioned, inwardly cursing the winged woman that had just up and done this to him. But if she had been here, she must've seen it. "There's a woman here," he explained. "A...a small woman."
"Small woman?"
"Yeah, this high," he measured with his hands. "Blonde hair, covered in flowers." he then scowled. "Asks for favors but doesn't exactly explain what said favor means."
The young woman quirked a brow. "Oh, I see." she turned, chuckling to herself.
"What's so funny?" Duran asked.
"It's just...Someone your age would've grown out of the imaginary friend phase."
"What? No! No, it's nothing like that!" Duran insisted. "She's real!" he gave his head a minor knock. "C'mon, say something!"
Silence. The young woman only laughed. "Yeah, I think I'm gonna go." she turned, folding her arms. "It's common knowledge you should stay away from crazy people."
"What?!" the soldier huffed. "I am NOT crazy!" he gave his head another knock. "You have BETTER say something real soon! Or…" he stammered, realizing he was sort of stuck. "Or...I'm going to…!"
"Yeah, definitely leaving." the young woman said, though she was tempted to watch. "Have fun with your little friend."
All right, the small woman thought. That's enough. "I don't know if I'd go as far as saying we're friends." suddenly, the young woman's eyes saw a small, flying woman in front of her face. "But he is telling the truth."
"GAH!" she fell to the ground, shocked at what was before her. "You...you're a…" she then surveyed her closer, despite her alarm. An image from one of Jose's books came to her mind, particularly a book from her childhood. "You're a faerie!"
"Uh-huh." the small woman confirmed. "And you've already met my...accommodating host." Duran only huffed in response. But then, he realized.
"Hey, how come you could barely stand before, but now, you're just up and flying around?"
"Oh, well, I'm drawing off your energy."
"What?!"
"No, no, it's ok. You won't even notice!" the Faerie assured. "I only take what I need."
"Still…" the soldier didn't like this at all. Helping her was one thing, but this? This was NOT what he had in mind.
"Anyway, we've wasted too much time already! We've got to get going to Wendel!"
"Wendel?" the violet-haired young woman interjected. "What for?"
"It's personal," Duran responded.
"He wants to know how to become the strongest soldier to beat the Wizard of the Red Lotus." the Faerie answered, Duran's mouth hanging agape in shock.
"What the hell?! You can look in my head too?!"
"Um...yeah. It kinda comes with the host thing." He was about to spout yet another complaint but didn't get the chance to.
"Wizard of the Red Lotus?" the young woman questioned. "As in...the Crimson Wizard?"
"Yeah, him." Duran raised a brow. "How do you know him?"
She was somewhat taken aback by the look in his eye. Not from the suspicion, yet there was a sense of anger in them. "I…" she began, thinking of what to say. "I just so happen to have heard of him. He's rather famous where I come from."
"And where would that be?" Duran questioned, she inwardly groaning, having now stepped into an interrogation.
"In...Alrant," she said. "I'm a magician. But," she clarified. "I DON'T have any relation to him." she then grew angry. "Daresay, I HATE him."
Duran wasn't sure about her, but her hatred seemed genuine. "That makes two of us," he remarked. "Well, nice to chat, but I need to go."
"You mean, WE need to go." the Faerie corrected, only gaining a grumble from him.
"Well, you've picked a fine time to go." the young woman said. "There's a barrier blocking the way."
Duran turned. "What?"
"Go ahead and see for yourself if you don't believe me," she said. "To the cavern's entrance, I tried, but it's impossible to break. Not even with MY magic."
"Then, if you're so great, why haven't you?" Duran questioned. "Maybe you just can't do it."
"Hey, DON'T test me!" the young woman said, bringing out her wand. "I can send you flying halfway across the country this second if I wanted to!"
"Ok, ok!" the Faerie interjected, coming in between the two. "Look, I can get us through the barrier, seeing as I now have more energy to draw on." she ignored the look Duran gave her. "And then, we can make our way through to Wendel."
"Well, it just so happens that I was on the way there myself." the young woman said. "And seeing as you've got a sword there, I'm tagging along."
"Huh?!" Duran exclaimed. "You can't just invite yourself along!"
"She did." she pointed to the Faerie. "And besides, who knows? You might need me." Duran was about to speak. "It doesn't matter what you say. I'm going, and that's that. And besides," she puckered up her face and widened her eyes. "You wouldn't leave a defenseless lady like me out here on her own, would you? Not with beastmen and those hounds and birds out, right?" to emphasize this, she even batted her eyelashes too.
"You...you can't…" he protested but ultimately sighed. Damn it all. And here he was just trying to do a good deed. But still, she was right. With all things considered, to leave her on her lonesome would be dishonorable. And, while he wasn't happy with it, the Faerie probably wouldn't have survived.
"Fine."
"Great! Knew you were a gentleman!" the young woman proclaimed. "Well...maybe just a little bit of one." she then gestured to herself. "I'm Angela."
"Duran." He extended his hand; she then looked at it, somewhat confused. Somewhat a little forward. Still, she took it and shook it lightly.
"Ok, now that that's settled," the Faerie interjected. "How about we be on our way?"
Astoria
"RUN! RUN!" Ralph and Elisa rose from their beds, stunned at the sudden volume of the girl's voice, let alone how her entrance into their room was.
"What?" Ralph groaned. "What is it-"
"SHH!" Charlotte shushed. "Be quiet; they might heaw you!"
"What's going on-" Elisa began to ask but remained silent, hearing the commotion going on outside. Then, going to the window, she looked and saw with horrified eyes what was happening.
Men, women, and children ran for what could've been their lives as the feral, transformed creatures tore through the small lake town, panic rising throughout the area. Left and right, Werewolves uprooted fields, barreled through the doors of shops and homes, and essentially destroyed whatever they could get their hands on. A man tried to fight back with a hoe, only to be picked up by the collar and tossed into a shed, the shed being hollowed out as the man went right through it, hitting the ground and his head on a rock.
Elisa quickly clothed herself and Ralph and grabbed both him and Charlotte. She opened the window nearest the town's entrance and held Ralph out. "Ok, get ready, honey!" she shouted, holding the boy until half of her was hanging out the window. It didn't cover much, yet at least he wouldn't be at as great a height when he hit the ground. She let him go, and he landed on his rear, yet aside from that, he was unharmed. "Ok, here comes Charlotte!" Elisa shouted, Ralph, readying himself to catch her.
"OOF!" Although, it was more like she fell on top of him instead.
Elisa was next, hopping out, but when she landed, she fell over, doubling in pain. "Mom!" Ralph rushed to her, Charlotte noticing that she was holding her leg.
"I-I'm fine," she said, wincing as she tried to stand. "L-Let's go!" taking both of them by the hand; she went as fast as she could to the entrance-
ROAR!
Only to be stopped right ahead of it.
The brown-haired Werewolf gazed down at the trio, wasting no time in taking a swipe at them. Its claws missed as if it didn't even see them as worth its time and simply wished to scare them, but Elisa's sleeve was torn cleanly down, clearly indicating real damage could be done. She made a run for it but was seized and thrown to the ground, the Werewolf towering over her and her son.
PLONK!
The transformed beastman felt a rock hit the back of its head, Charlotte standing there with another in her hand. Though it was then that she had made quite the mistake, the beast's attention was on her now. She backed up, blue eyes shifting towards the entrance to the town that everyone was flooding through. Unfortunately, she didn't get the chance as the Werewolf made a dive right for her.
Only, it never made it.
A sudden blur came in front of her and tackled the beast, Charlotte, Elisa, and Ralph, registering that, to their surprise, it was another Werewolf. However, this particular Werewolf bore fanned out blonde hair and a slightly smaller and leaner frame than the others. Nevertheless, it leaped up and engaged with the other Werewolf, slashing and biting at the other to get it back away from the younger girl. Charlotte only looked on in awe and horror at the spectacle, the blonde Werewolf taking a glance at her, only there was a different look in its eyes in comparison to the rest. It was as if it told her to leave and escape as soon as possible.
Taking the hint, Charlotte rose to her feet, Elisa took her hand, and they made their way to the entrance. Only, now there was the issue of several people pushing and shoving against each other all at once. Elisa tried, she had tried, but she found her grip on Charlotte slipping, having come to carry Ralph in her arm, only able to hold Charlotte by the hand. Hands soon became little more than fingers clasping together, and then contact was lost, the blonde crying out for the mother to wait as she was lost in a swarm of panicked people desperate to escape. The blonde girl fell flat on her face and barely managed to avoid being trampled by rolling off to the side. However, she soon had to roll out of the way again as her protector was slammed down to the ground; Charlotte looked up to see another Werewolf looking down at both of them. This one appeared to be different from the one her protector had attacked before, having a blonde mane and a red robe. It leered down at the fallen Werewolf and bore a toothy grin, crossing its arms. The Werewolf that was down by Charlotte looked to her again, gesturing to the gate with its head.
"But…" Charlotte protested, yet the red-robed Werewolf lunged down, her protector leaping up at it. It was clear she had little choice. She ran to her feet, the sounds of brutal struggle growing more and more distant.
Note: We will have Hawkeye and Riesz's bit in the next chapter, as well as Angela and Duran entering the Cascade Cavern.
