Everyone pushes themselves to run up the final set of stairs that leads to the top floor of the master's tower. The cool air begins to flow from up above, you are almost there. The night sky hangs above you all as you reach the top, while the city's lights shine down below. Ahead you see who must be Master Gildmoore, magic was crackling and glowing all around him. Beside him stands what looks to be a large orb, easily bigger than a person. This is it, it's time to put an end to all this and get Flare back.
"It's over Gildmoore!" you shout. "We're taking Flare back and there's nothing you can do to stop us!"
The white and gold robbed elf turns around to see what is breaking his concentration. His hood is pulled back to reveal long white hair that is combed back and runs down the length of his body.
"You misfits break into MY tower, assault my colleagues, turn others against me, and worst of all, you dare make demands of ME!?" he barks at you, wearing a deranged expression that reminds you of another certain mad wizard.
"What is it with evil wizards completely losing their cool the second I ask them to stop acting crazy!?" you spit back. "I really don't think what I ask for is that unreasonable."
"I have had all I can stand of you lesser races. All this time I have been trying to force this half-elf to think things our way, and she continues to hold onto hope that you will save her. Your disgusting images still shield her mind from me."
"Anon." Polka whispers as Gildmoore continues his ramblings. "Flares in that orb thing, I can see her in there."
"Do you think we can break her out?" you ask.
"Not sure, if I had to guess it's better at keeping her from breaking out herself than it is keeping us from breaking in. Might be better to use raw muscle instead of magic."
"Alright, Undine and I will take the front. I can't think of a better way to start our first battle side by side. Watame, Polka, the first chance one of you sees to break Flare out, do it."
"Right!" Polka and Watame say in unison.
"This opponent has a very unsettling mana Summoner." Undine says. "Are you all not scared?"
"Kinda." you admit. "But even though I'm scared, I gotta push forward past that. Flare needs us, and I made a promise that we'd come get her."
"This is probably the scariest and dangerous thing I've ever done." Polka starts. "And even though we haven't known each other very long, Flare is someone very special to me, and I won't let anything take her smile away from her."
"I can understand a lot of what Flare might be feeling right now." Watame says. "I know what it's like to be a prisoner, to be used for someone else's selfish gains, scared you'll never get to make your own choices ever again. Even with all that fear, I know Flare believes in us. I'm going to be worthy of that trust. That's why this sheep is not gonna back down."
"The bonds of mortals are a very powerful thing indeed. To allow you to acknowledge your fears and find the courage to overcome them. I too, will give this battle all that I have."
"Heh, glad we're all on the same page then. Okay! First job is getting Flare out of that orb thing. Everyone ready?"
"Sure am Anon! I'm gonna give this book of yours a spin alright?" Polka's resolve gathers within the book as it shines brightly in her grip. "Maybe this will shut that mage first spell, Stellar!"
Aiming for the orb that holds Flare, a powerful beam of starlight shoots forth from your hand toward it. The blast collides with a magical barrier before it can reach its mark. Gildmoore halts his spouting about lesser races and his dislike of you all, to assess the damage done by your attack.
Undine follows up immediately with a series of water discs, aimed at the same spot your stellar spell had hit. The splash of the rushing water provides cover, as you and Undine charge forward.
Gildmoore raises one of his hands in annoyance toward the two of you, energy flickers and sparks around him. Bolts of lightning surge toward you, but you run to meet them head on, you know Polka will do what she needs to.
"Stellashield!" you hear Polka's voice shouts, as the shield of starlight appears in front of you to absorb Gildmoore's attack.
Gildmoore continues to fire bolt after bolt at your shield, quickly wearing it down.
"Summoner." Undine says beside you. "Let the shield fall, I will protect us next."
You nod to Undine and call out to Polka.
"R-right! Uhhh How do I stop this thing Watame?"
"You need to yell Charge for the shield to give Anon the energy." Watame answers hastily.
Polka follows Watame's instruction and the shield turns to pure starlight in your hand. At the same time Undine raises her hands and a circular shield of water takes form, directing all the lightning to its swirling current.
"I say we teach this so-called master mage how lightning can be turned against you." Undine remarks, as she moves her hands to send the water, now fully charged with electricity propelling forward toward Gildmoore.
"Yeah! Let's light him up! Now Polka!"
"Okay here comes one with feeling! Stellar!"
The combined might of Undine's own spell and your powered up stellar pressure the magical barrier even further.
"One more time!" Polka shouts. "Stellar!"
The continued assault from water and starlight force Gildmoore to begin funneling his own mana into the barrier to keep it intact.
"Watame! This is our chance!" Polka says as she steadies herself after stumbling from the exertion of the last spell she cast. "He's concentrating his mana at the barrier, if we can hit it from the side, we should be able to break through. Can you spare enough mana for a speed boost?"
"Maybe just one, so here goes!" Watame gathers what mana she has left for a song of strength for their legs to carry them faster.
"And I'll keep blasting! Stellar!"
Another blast of starlight leaves your hand alongside Undine's waters.
"Keep it up Undine! Polka and Watame got a plan." you manage to get out.
Undine nods to you and doubles her efforts, the waters she creates getting even larger and stronger.
His vision blocked by the breaking of the water against his barrier, Gildmoore fails to see Watame and Polka swiftly approaching from the side. All too late, he sees the sheep and fox girl throw themselves at the barrier. The magical veil shatters from the impact to create an opening as the rest of the barrier disappears.
Undine's waters now surge toward their new target, Gildmoore. Without the barrier in place, Gildmoore was now free to use more of her own mana as he deflects Undine's water with bursts of his own magic.
"Anon! Get him! Stellaruke!"
Now enhanced with starlight you charge for Gildmoore who begins to cast a spell to intercept you, but you have a surprise for him.
"Now Undine!" you shout just before Gildmoore's spell can leave his hands.
Undine lets loose a spell of her own, a wave of water sweeps you from your side out of Gildmoore's path and now on a crash course for the orb that holds Flare.
Gildmoore's wide eyes looked on in terror as the human, sheep girl, and kitsune all converged on the orb at once.
Flare was weary, disoriented, she could barely tell where she was anymore, but she heard a voice, or voices. She knew them. She struggled to make out the shapes she could see moving from beyond her prison, and then in an instant it was crystal clear. Three people were coming toward her, a fox, a sheep, and a human.
Watame's head horns and all, yours and Polka's bare fists, all strike the orb at once. It cracks, and with one firm push from all you, it shatters.
"Flare!" you all call together.
Although your first task is complete, Gildmoore is not about to let it go unpunished. He begins to weave another spell, Undine will grant him no such luxury. With a powerful push from her hands a mighty jet of water forms to knock him away. A successive cast creates a wave of water from above Gildmoore to come crashing down upon him.
Polka cannot contain her excitement and relief, she pulls Flare in for one of the biggest hugs she ever gave. "Flare you're alright! We're here"
Watame is next to come in for the hug, gripping Flare as tight as she can.
"It's you…I think I know both of you…" Flare says weakly. You see her look to you next, her gaze distant, almost empty.
"Polka." you say seriously to get her attention. "How is Flare doing?"
Polka collects herself and gives Flare a once over, then places one of her hands on her forehead. Her expression sours as she shakes her head.
"Not great. I can't really tell what that guy did, but she's pretty messed up. It's almost like she's barely here."
"Summoner!" Undine calls. "Gildmoore is recovering from our assault!"
You looked over at Undine who stands firm to protect you all from anything the mad elf would try to throw at you, and then back to Flare and your friends. How could someone do something like this? You thought Hector was pretty messed up for what he was doing, but Gildmoore raised the bar. You will not, no you cannot let him get away with this.
"Got it! We're gonna get that bastard back for what he put Flare through. He's never gonna hurt anyone again."
With your sword resting on your shoulder you walk past your friends to join Undine. "Keep close to her, you two." is all you say to them.
"Are you ready, summoner? He will probably attack us with his full might now that he does not have split his focus on your captured friend."
"With you by my side? Yeah I'm ready. It's kinda funny isn't it? This is a lot like how we first met. Some magical nutjob in a big building, a friend to save, in way over my head. Thinking back I kinda gave you a half-assed answer for our pact didn't I?"
Undine looked at you confused. "I did not believe it was 'half-assed' as you say."
"It's alright. Back then I didn't really know anything about the world or myself for that matter. I haven't been traveling for very long yet and there's still so much of the world to see, but I think one thing is clear to me."
Your expression hardens as you stare at Gildmoore rising to his feet. You are reminded of so many things as you see the dark, twisted look in his eyes.
"There are always gonna be people like Hector, Rahndel, and these guys. Always trying to steal some kind of power for themselves and they don't care what they need to do, or who they need to hurt to do it. They're fine taking people's own dreams away to do it too. I know I'm just one person, but even so, I'm gonna be someone who steps forward to protect those dreams. So Undine? Will you help me protect the people of this world and their dreams? Will you help me make this world a safer, better place?"
"That was very well said Anon." Undine responds. "If that is your wish, I will help you with all that I have. And if I may, I am glad to have you as my summoner."
"I'm glad to have you as a friend, Undine. Now let's take this guy down!"
"I think we are both ready for a technique that should let us fight on more equal ground. It's called spirit resonance."
Before you can ask what that means Undine continues.
"A summoner and spirit can align their emotions to be completely shared and in sync, this will grant us a burst of power, but it will come at a price. To perform the resonance I must revert to my spirit form, and once it is over I will need to be summoned once again to regain my physical form."
It was a gamble, if whenever this spirit resonance ends, Undine won't be here to help you finish this battle if need be. But even so.
"Without rest you will not have enough mana to summon me again in this battle. Do you still wish to perform the resonance?"
"Do you think it'll give us our best chances at winning?"
"I do. It will be a surge of power similar to the spirit possession I performed when we first met. Except this time YOU will be in full control of your body, and I will be granting the power of my waters to your attacks."
"I trust you Undine. I don't think this guy has been actually challenged in a while, so let's give him something to worry about. So what do we need to do to start this spirit resonance?"
"The resolution you've shown has inspired me. During our time here I've felt myself getting closer to you. I've felt your concern for your friends, your rage towards your enemies, and your desire to protect. During our efforts, I know we are already in sync on the level needed to perform the resonance, we simply need a spark of our manas connecting to start."
"You got it!" you say, holding out your hand. Undine smiles and takes it.
In a bright flash of blue mana you feel what must be the spirit resonance taking hold. You can feel energy coursing through your body on a level unlike anything else before. The thoughts and feelings you would use to fuel your mana with the power of water, now felt part of your very being. You can hear the flow and life of the water that moves through the city, this is what true connection to water is. Your reflection in the blade of your sword shows your eyes changed from their normal color, to a shade of deep blue. This was absolutely unreal, you wonder if this is what you looked like back when Undine possessed you. Beside you Undine floats, her body completely intangible, she looks down at you with pride.
"Oooooo" Polka and Watame go at the sudden new display.
"Flare! Flare look!" Polka points. "Anons glowing blue! He hasn't done that before."
"It's almost like that time when Anon and I first met. But it's different this time. Undine is right beside him." Watame says softly as she looks at Flare, her eyes still empty. "What can we do Polka?"
"I'm not sure, I'm using what little mana I got left for a simple healing spell, but I'm not sure it's helping."
"Maybe if Anon beats that guy, whatever spell he put on Flare will be lifted?"
"We'll need to believe so. So I'm gonna give Anon the last of what I got left." Polka reaches next to her and puts her hand on his open spellbook as it begins to glow. "Here's the last spell I got energy for Anon! Knock this guy out! Stellaruke!"
The stellaruke spell takes hold around you, creating a shimmer of blue and silver light. You can sense Undine's mind and soul alongside your own, it is a strange, but wondrous feeling. You feel incredible. You tell yourself "Yes" over and over, that you feel great, you can win, you CAN do this!
With a simple flex of your will, water begins to form beneath your feet to launch you towards your enemy. Gildmoore is still attempting to finish his latest spell when you appear in front of him in a flash, you bring your sword to meet the magic you force him to unleash early.
The bright magical light clashes against your shining blade. The combined strength given to you by the stellaruke spell and spirit resonance, gives you enough power to slowly slice through the magic. With a final push the spell splits in two and glitters in the air behind you.
With feet planted firmly in front of Gildmore, you raise a free hand forward, and a jet of water comes rushing out to strike the older elf. After your torrential burst, Gildmoore steadies himself, and with a yell, lets loose another spell, this time a giant ball of fire is sent flying toward you.
Now Undine takes action beside you, her hands weaving the water from the puddles that were left from your previous spells, to create a shield of water. The two collide and cancel out one another. The resulting steam created by the two opposite elements is part of Gildmoore's strategy, as he is already letting loose another spell.
Beams of light converge onto you from all sides. You try to dodge and deflect what you can with your sword, but there are simply too many coming too fast. Sharp pains start to throb from several parts of your body. You could feel the impact of the magical beams against your ribs, shoulders, and leg. The assault ends and you are forced to one knee as you try to push past the pain.
"You think you are equal to a master of magic boy?" Gildmoore taunts. "Even if you have that little water spirit to help you, you're both no match for me!"
"The last wizard that called me boy." you chuckle. "Things didn't end so well for him, so you better watch out."
"I should have let Rezlen squeeze the life out of you at the falls." Gildmoore spits. "To think some human would have the nerve to interrupt my plans."
"Your plans are sick!" you yell as you try to stabilize yourself, you can feel the pain subsiding a little, but it's still hot. "What kinda nut job tries to turn someone into a living weapon?!"
"Someone with ambition! Vision!" Gildmoore spouts, as he continues to let loose a barrage of beams at you.
Undine and you do all you can to fend off the attacks. Needing an escape, you combine your powers to create a rush of water to carry you out of the beams' path.
"The potential of a half-elf child is limitless in the right hands! The potential is even greater when their elven parent is someone of magical talent. This child was going to be the elf kingdom's greatest force. A tool to use to not only protect our people, but to take our rightful place as the rulers of this world! All magic, all law will be by our design!"
"And what if Flare wants nothing to do with that huh?!" you bark back as your growing anger fuels a barrage of water at Gildmoore.
"That's where an aptitude in mind magic comes in handy." Gildmoore answers with a twisted smile as he meets your coming spell with his own. "All I need to do is lock everything behind a door so to speak, all those meddlesome thoughts and emotions about friendship, identity, humanity. With those gone, she would do whatever is asked of her."
Suddenly Gildmoore stops his relentless assault of spells as his temper seems to reach its peak.
"But there was no time for that!" he growls. "You little rats somehow found a way into our tower much quicker than anticipated! That little wretch who only cares about relics probably found you a way. I should have had her killed years ago. My colleagues are also equally infuriating! They all lost to your ragtag group of freaks!"
"Don't forget that their loss is also a win for Flare's mom" you say proudly. "After all these years, she still fights you. The scars she left made you all weak. To this very day she is protecting the daughter she loved so much."
"That's nonsense! You know nothing of how magic actually works! Rezlens injury is an exception, but the rest of us did not sustain such wounds."
"I'll just let my actions convince you then." With the stellaruke spell disappearing it was time to change strategies. You gather mana and water around your sword and swing with vigor. A slash of water hit Gildmoore dead on, not enough to wound him, but the cut of the water could be seen getting through his robes.
"You all sat here so high and mighty!" you say as you let loose another swing, one after another. Gildmoore could only block them as they continued to come.
"No one ever challenges you huh? You just sat up here scheming, biding your time until you could finally put your plans into motion. But you know what? I think you were all just scared."
You don't stop slashing, you don't stop using the water around Gildmoore to ensnare and hold him in place. The waters give him no quarter from all sides as they rise with your rage.
"Scared because someone, with something to truly fight for, was able to hold her own against five of you."
"Scared because she would have beaten you all in a fair fight, scared because she had loved ones to fight for, and that she would push past her limits to protect them."
"You talk about using Flare as a way to make your kingdom the most powerful. But what kinda kingdom would that be? It would be a kingdom of cowards and bullies. No one would be proud to live there."
"I will not have some lowly human tell me what I'm scared of! I'll teach you fear boy!" Gildmoore's rage grows as the magic around him crackles and pulses.
He holds his hands forward and a powerful gust of wind blows from them, he was going to try to blow you right off the tower.
You stab your sword into the floor in front of you and hold on for dear life.
"Summoner!" Undine calls through the wind. "We can use the water to strike back from below, we will use your sword as a conduit!"
You nod and begin to focus your mana through your sword, asking the water to gather and trickle through the foundation of the floor. The winds continue to push you, as the water makes its way to its destination. Once the liquid has gathered, you and Undine combine your wills to create a geyser right under Gildmoore's feet that sends him hurling upward to his surprise.
Another concentrated effort from the two of you shifts and changes the resulting splash into a crashing wave from above that falls on top of Gildmoore.
The spirit resonance still holds, but you can feel it draining. It is becoming harder and harder to hear the water as clearly as you did when the resonance first started. You are not sure how much longer you can maintain it.
Gildmoore got up with a groan, his expression dark, twisted. "I've had all I can stand." He said manically. "You say fighting for loved ones gives you strength? Let's see where all that strength goes when I take all that away!"
With a maddening glare he weaves a spell that creates a flaming boulder overhead as he directs it down towards Polka, Watame and Flare.
Your eyes grow wide with panic as you rush over to them, using what might very well be the last of your mana to propel yourself forward using the water. You intercept the meteor before it can make impact, and in a desperate move, create a shield of water. The pressure is unlike anything you ever felt before as the meteor begins to wade through the water easily.
Undine floats in front of and nods. "I will do what I can to protect you all. I believe in your victory summoner."
In a bright burst of blue light she disappears and the water shield becomes twice as large. You begin to feel a burst of mana that you direct at the meteor to try and push it away, but the head of the flaming rock still peaks out from beyond the waters.
Watame sees the scene unfold before her and reaches for the spellbook. It begins to shine in her hands. "Stellar!"
The beam of starlight pushes against Gildmoore's spell, but it holds strong.
"One more time!" Watame tells herself in earnest. "Everything I got is going into this one! Stellar!"
Another beam of starlight fires this time managing to push the meteor back a few feet, but it continues its advance.
"Get everyone out of here!" you plead. "I can't hold it any longer!"
"We're not gonna leave you to get squashed!" Polka cries.
The water around the meteor weakens and evaporates leaving it unhindered to get to its mark. You brace for the impact, if you couldn't stop it with spells, you would at least try to stop it with your body. It never came. A loud thud above you causes you to open your eyes. A magical circle stands between you and the meteor.
You look behind you to see your friends all safe, and at the far edge of the tower were two figures floating on a magical circle you recognized from back at the falls. It was Lorenz, and was that Lena next to him?
"Lorenz!" Gildmoore shouts, as his spell slowly disappears from not being able to reach its mark. "You whelp!"
"I'm not gonna stand by while you murder innocent people." Lorenz retorts. "How could you do something like this Master Gildmoore? You and the other masters are supposed to be role models for our people. But kidnapping? Murder? Covering up murders? For what? Some myth about half-elves?"
"It's not a myth Lorenz! With this girl we can propel our kingdom to have power without equal. And you, you can help me do that! Help me dispose of the half-elfs friends, and you'll be in our good graces again."
Lorenz stepped onto the tower floor with Lena following and made his way toward the middle, his magical circle still protecting its charges.
"I'm not gonna do that, I'm not gonna fight anyone. This whole scheme of yours is over Master Gildmoore. Mages from all the other guilds know now. They know everything. The town guard knows too. There is no reason to fight anymore."
"Nonsense." Gildmoore spits. "You think just because a bunch of soft upstarts and the guard know about my plans that they are through? You underestimate how easy it is to twist the facts to our favor. All that you said? The mages voicing their disapproval? The guards? All forced upon by the power of the half-elf. And who will be the hero to control her powers? Me."
You look on in disbelief as Gildmoore looks to be further losing whatever sanity he could lie about having.
"I'll have stopped the invading outsiders who wished to use the half-elf to disrupt our society. I'll be the hero. It's all so easy for me. To twist minds, to implant thoughts. This is not over, not by a long shot."
Gildmoore continues to ramble again as Lena rushes to Flare's side behind you.
"Lena!" you say, taking your eyes off Gildmoore for a moment. "What are you doing here? How are you here?"
"Long story." She says. "Short version is, I went to the guards like you said and showed them the emblem, that got them to buy my story and around the same time Lorenz of the blue mages came running in a panic. I didn't know what to think, but he also confirmed my story, and it just escalated from there."
Lena looks over Flare with a grim expression, but she quickly resolves herself and looks to you.
"I asked him to bring me here to help Flare. I'm glad I did. I can undo the damage Gildmoore did, but I'll need some time, can you buy me that?"
"Well lets see, I'm out of mana, Undine used all hers so she can't help us anymore right now, and I'm probably gonna fall to pieces soon. So hey, what's a little time right?"
"You might only last a minute out there." Polka says as she leaves Flare to Lene's care. "That's why I'll have to come help too, since that should be one minute more!"
"And with me will make three!" Watame joins in.
"H-hey I can't have all of you leave!" Lene protests. "When I'm done undoing Gildmoore's magic we need something to help bring Flare back to her senses. A familiar spark. That would be best done with someone she's familiar with."
"Use this then." Watame says as she places the book to Flare's chest, and gently puts her arms in place in which to hold it. "Flare thinks Anon's spellbook is a direct link to his soul. If she hangs onto it, I'm sure it can be the spark you need."
"When did you guys even talk about that?" you ask before the realization hits you. "Ohhh. I guess this is what counts as 'Girl stuff'?"
Polka and Watame meet your question with innocent smiles. It was certainly not what you expected to be part of their private conversations, but it made you happy.
"Alright Lena, we'll leave the rest to you, please bring Flare back to us okay?"
"I promise I will. Gildmoore's mind magic after all is just a series of writings upon the mind itself, and I happen to be really good at revealing, rearranging, and erasing writings no matter where they live. You can leave this to me."
With that, the three of you gather to face Gildmoore again, who is currently flinging spells in a fury at Lorenz. His mastery of magic circles was living up to the hype. Despite being forced on the defensive, none of the attacks can make it through to him.
"Your magic pales in comparison to mine Lorenz! You'll be nothing but ashes soon."
Blinded by his anger, Gildmoore fails to notice the three of you charging toward him, only too late does he notice as Watame headbutts him in the back.
"Brat sheep!" He yelps as he turns and fires a bolt of lightning at Watame. You dive and get the both of you out of its path just in time.
Polka is next to strike as her sword grazes Gildmoore's right arm. He in turn blasts a fireball into Polka's chest. Fueled by panic she reaches into her hat and pulls out a bottle of water that she uses to spray the fire out.
Gildmoore's hands crackle with electricity as he goes to zap at what would be a Polka shaped conductor. You and Watame race behind him, and with a foot against each leg, you both grab an arm and pull. The sudden pain of almost having his arms pulled from their sockets stops Gildmoore's spell dead in its tracks. Polka refuses to miss the opportunity provided to her as she chucks the now empty glass spray bottle right at the old elf's face.
Meanwhile, Lena holds Flare's head between both of hers as her magic glows around her. Her face shows her straining to work faster as she hurries to undo Gildmoore's workings.
"You're strong just like your mother and father." She tries to tell her within her thoughts. "Gildmoore tried relentlessly to break you, to wipe you clean, but your determination, your faith in your friends, and your own will, kept you whole."
More and more Lena increases her efforts, although her talents allow her a fighting chance at undoing the work of a master, it was still taxing.
"I can tell you're fighting to come back, Your friends are fighting too. It's good you found friends who want to protect you. I'll make sure you all get to stay together." Lena says aloud.
Gildmoore lets loose a pulse of mana knocking the three of you away from him. He then shocks the ground with lightning, the electricity reaching all three and shocking all of you. Now seething with rage Gildmoore, finally begins to take notice what you had been distracting him from. Lena was undoing his magic on Flare. He begins to launch spells of fire, lightning and pure mana at the magical barrier in an attempt to stop her. The magical barrier finally begins to crack just as Lena looks to be finishing her spellwork.
"That should do it." she says as she wipes her brow. "If your friends are right, this little spell book should give you the jumpstart you need to come back to us Flare. I have to go now though. I brought your bow and arrows, in case you need them."
After making sure Flare would stay sitting upright, Lena places her bow and arrows beside her. As she straightens herself, tomes from the large backpack she came here with, begin to float out and circle around her.
"I'm about to do something a little crazy, so we might not get to see each other again, so thank you. Thank you for living Flare." With that, Lena begins to walk toward the master mage.
"Gildmoore!" She shouts as she steps outside the protection of the circle. "You are not going to lay another hand on Naname's daughter ever again! You will not hurt my niece!"
With a direction of her own mana, she commands one of the tomes to open and from it a ray of magical energy bursts forth. Gildmoore is taken by surprise, but he blocks the attack with his own mana. Another command and a different tome, lets loose a stream of fire, another does the same with icicles. The power of the spells look to be a minor annoyance to GIldmoore at best, but still Lena does not relent.
"Confused Gildmoore?" Lena says. "It's true I'm not very good at battle magic, but with the right tomes, I can fight just fine. My talent with magical writings makes these old books the ideal weapon for me."
"But how long can you sustain such an effort?" Gildmoore argues. "Splitting your mana between three sources will drain you dry in no time at all"
"Just long enough, that's what Naname would have done, and that's what I'll do. She gave up everything without hesitation for me, for Flare. Now I can finally return the favor."
You struggle to get up, your body has really had it. The electricity still pinches and pricks you all over. It feels like your chest is filled with smoke. "E-Everyone alright?" you manage to get out.
"I-I think so." Watame meekly answers.
"Polka is….all tingly."
You roll onto your knees and lift your head up. There was Lena standing tall against Gildmoore.
"Hey Lena's out!" you say with hope. "Do you think she did it!?"
"Flare's still not moving though." Watame points out.
"You gotta spark the spell book Anon!" Polka says.
"Easy for you to say! I don't exactly know how to do that."
"Call out to Flare." Watame suggests. "If the book is part of you, it should let your voice reach her."
It's worth a try I guess. If we don't do something Lena might be done for. Okay, here goes. You close your eyes and focus on calling out to Flare from your thoughts.
"Flare, can you hear me!? You have to wake up! We're here for you and we need you! Lena needs you! Please wake up!"
Flare's mind is cloudy, she sees nothing but a thick fog, unsure where she is, who she is. Suddenly a faint voice calls out to her. She starts to walk toward it.
"It's not doing anything guys!" you cry. "You two call out to her too! Maybe the book will bring all our voices to her."
Watame and Polka follow your lead and begin to call out to Flare as well.
More voices start to breach the fog, they feel familiar too. A bright flash of starlight appears in front of Flare, it beckons her to come to it, it feels warm as she gets closer.
You punch the ground below you, hoping the pain will give you just enough adrenaline to stand back up. Things could not end here, not after you got so far. Watame and Polka seem to share the same feelings, as they are doing everything they can to get back on their feet.
Gildmoore is making short work of Lena's tomes, as his spells of lightning blast each one away, to make them useless. For each one he disposes of, another comes from Lena's pack to take its place. You can see her legs buckle, her robes were tattered and seared, she is not going to last much longer.
As you force yourself to stand while you keep trying to reach Flare, you suddenly hear a voice. A voice not coming from anywhere around you, but within you. It only says one thing.
"Protect Lena."
In a mad dash you reach Lena's side and step in front of her to protect her from the lightning bolts that are coming her way. This madman is not going to hurt anyone else as long as you are still breathing.
"Polka!" Watame says pointing to where Flare is. The spell book shines immensely, almost obscuring their vision of her.
"The third spell!" A voice echoes in the night. "Stellashield!"
A powerful shield of starlight appears in front of you and Lena to block Gildmoores attack.
"And Charge!"
Starlight envelops your hand, and you focus on Gildmoore again who looks at you in shock. You know what is about to come next, you can feel it.
"Ekuseresu Stellar!"
Bow and arrow of pure starlight appear in your hands, the arrow much bigger than anything you have made before. You use all your strength to pull it back against the radiant string. The thoughts and feelings of another guiding your movements, you let the arrow fly. It soars and pierces right through the magical barrier Gildmoore erected to protect him. The arrow strikes true at his chest and explodes, sending him hurling backward.
"You did it Lena." you say as you hold back tears.
Polka and Watame hold each other up and make their way towards Flare. "It's Flare!" Watame shouts. "She heard us!"
Flare gathers her bow and arrows and walks out of the crumbling magic circle and looks at her battered friends with tears in her eyes. "You're all here." She sniffles and wipes her eyes. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get back. I'll take things from here."
"Flare…" Lena says in disbelief. Before she can say anything else Flare hugs her.
"Thank you Lena. Thank you for saving me."
"I'm just glad I finally could save someone important to me…"
"Filthy Half-elf!" Gildmoore barks as he scrambles to his feet. "Now I'll have to do all that work over again!"
Not saying a word, Flare locks her bow and fires an arrow radiant with her golden mana, it strikes him fast in the shoulder, making him shout in pain.
"What's wrong? I thought you wanted to see the power of a half-elf!?" Flare snarls, her happiness of being reunited with her friends traded for the disgust she holds for the man who attempted to take her freedom.
With another arrow pulled back and ready, Flare begins to channel and focus her mana. The light around her arrow grows and grows. Soon the light from it shines past both herself and her bow and she lets the arrow leave her fingertips.
The mana around her arrow expands again and changes its shape. The light takes the form of a proud soaring bird, beak pointed forward to guide the head of the arrow to its target. Gildmoore is powerless to stop this attack as the golden avian crushes the barrier he had tried to use to protect himself.
Flare goes to draw another arrow but her legs start to give out from under her. Lena quickly grabs hold of her.
"Flare you can't." She urges. "You're practically drained in every sense of the word from fighting off his magic and recovering."
"I have to." Flare answers. "You all risked everything to protect me, Now I'm going to protect you."
"But not for long!" Gildmoore yells. He lets loose a spell of mana at the ground in front of you which explodes and knocks you all back.
Lena gets up almost instantly and steps forward, her tomes letting loose the magic within them at Gildmoore once again. Each spell Lena strikes with, is met with retaliation from Gildmoore, spells of lightning, light, and force chip away at what resilience Lena has left.
"Lena stop!" Flare pleads trying to pick herself up off the ground.
"We can do this Flare." you say helping Flare to her feet. "The fifth spell, it could be our ace in the hole, I haven't used it yet, but now's the time. Let's put everything we have left on it."
"Okay Anon. Here it comes Gildmoore. The fifth spell Urou Stellaruga!"
Nothing happens.
Gildmoore scoffs and continues to knock tome after tome away from Lena with his lightning and lands a direct hit on her with pure mana.
Lena looks back at Flare as she wobbles to stand. You then see something that completely astonishes you. She was smiling.
Why? Lena wasn't a fighter. This couldn't be thrilling or exciting for her. Things are also looking incredibly bleak, but she can only smile when she sees Flare. You are instantly brought back to when you and Undine had finally triumphed over Hector and you were falling into the ocean. You couldn't physically smile with your own face at the time, but the fact that you saved Watame was enough to make you happy, even as you were possibly falling to your own death. You understood what Lena was feeling now.
She doesn't care if she gets hurt, she doesn't care what happens to her, as long as Flare is safe.
You could see the determination in her eyes and smile as she gives all she has left to guide her tomes.
"I won't stop." She tells Gildmoore. "I will never stop protecting Flare from you. Even if it costs me my life, I would give it a hundred times over to keep Naname's child safe and happy!"
"I've had all I can stand of you pests! If you really want to die so badly, I will oblige you!" Gildmoore yells in fury as his entire body begins to be enveloped by mana.
"Come on Flare! We have to do something!" you shout, not sure if there is anything you can do. The fifth spell might be a dud or have some secret condition behind it, but that shouldn't be the case. The spell appeared for you, the book has given you what you need, when you need it up until now, this spell should be no different.
I have to save her, Flare thought.
"Why doesn't the spell work!?" She shouts, slamming her fist down on the open page of the book in rage, tears starting to stream down her face. "If I can read it it should work right?! Come on you stupid book! Give us the power to defeat Gildmoore for good! Give us the power to save Lena!"
You look on at Gildmoore quickly preparing for his final spell that he promises will be the end of you all, trying to figure out something you can still do. From deep in your heart you know the fifth spell will be the key to finishing this, you know Flare will find the power to read it, you can feel it, even now.
"You can do it Flare, just one more try!" you tell her. "There's nothing you can't do when you put your mind to it!" The book begins to shine
Anon's right! I can do this! Everyone is counting on me. Okay Flare focus! One last try! You are going to save everyone with one last try!
"The fifth spell! Urou Stellaruga!" Flare roars into the night.
A bright power erupts from within you. Your vision is taken over by blinding starlight. Something is starting to claw its way to the surface, you can feel your hands reach for the sky. All of that light leaves your body and begins to twist and expand in the air above you. In a flash, a giant bear made of the stars touches down in front of you.
It steps forward with one of its mighty claws, its gaze fixated on Gildmoore. Your body feels foreign to you, your thoughts are scattered. Only one thing seems to be clear to you right now.
Crush Gildmoore.
As if hearing this thought, the bear makes another step toward its prey. With eyes that glowed like sapphires, it strikes fear into the old mage. It lifts up one of its claws and brings it down onto Gildmoore who attempts to meet it with the spell he had been preparing. The mana around him shatters like glass against the might of the bear's gigantic paw, slamming him into the floor.
It was not enough!
Crush him again!
Make him pay!
Save everyone!
The bear roars in rage and dives headfirst into Gildmoore. Pained screams fill the air as the jaws close around him, the magical energy of starlight enveloping him entirely. With its prey defeated, the bear sparkles and dissipates into the night sky.
As the spell ends Flare's legs completely give out from under her as she falls onto her stomach.
You turn and go to help her up, still mildly disoriented from whatever you just experienced.
"We…we did it." Flare says to you smiling.
"You did it Flare!" Watame says.
"Flare, what just happened? you ask. "What exactly was the fifth spell?"
"What do you mean what happened?!" Flare asks back. "You saw the spell work didn't you? You were there."
"Yeah but-"
"Who cares what Anon does or doesn't remember about a giant starlight bear coming out of him and trying to eat his enemies." Polka says. "All that matters is that you're safe, Flare!"
Polka did have a decent point, you think to yourself while Watame and Polka help Flare to her feet.
"Thanks you two. That one really takes it out of you." Flare says.
"That was, I don't think I have the proper words for it." Lena says as she hobbles over to you all. "You were amazing, Flare. I'm so glad you're okay." Lena continues as she starts to cry.
"Don't cry Lena." Flare says holding back tears of her own. "You're gonna make me cry too."
"I'm already crying!" Watame whines as she starts to really let the waterworks flow.
"Are you all always like this?" Lorenz asks you as he stumbles past, looking even worse for wear than when you left him at the bottom of the tower.
"I don't know what you mean." you shrug, but you can feel yourself grinning with pride.
"What a strange group. Anyway I'm gonna lock ex-master Gildmoore up in a nice tight circle so he doesn't get any ideas about escaping. Guards should hopefully find their way up here soon." Lorenz explains as he hobbles forward to his self appointed task.
"Anon?" Flare says bringing your attention to her. "I umm, well, what I wanna say…" Choosing not to fight with finding the right words to say any longer, she simply wraps you in a deep hug. "Thank you" she whispers.
"Hey I promised, didn't I?" you say as you return the hug.
"Polka is so happy! I just wish Undine was here with us too."
"And who says I'm not?" Undine's voice comes from thin air as her intangible form comes into view next to you.
"Undine!?" you say in surprise. "I thought I would have to summon you again for you to be back with us."
"In my physical form that is correct." Undine answers. "But after our spirit resonance, you have become an anchor so to speak, for me in this world. I can appear whenever I choose in my spirit form. You can also say that I am just always here now as long as you live and our pact exists."
"Man, there is a lot to learn about being a summoner isn't there?" you say wearily.
"Who cares about the why?" Polka says. "Undine is right here with us like she should be! Now we're all together again!"
"You're Undine?" Flare asks. "Thank you for helping to save me, I'm Flare. It's nice to finally meet you."
"It is nice to meet you too, Flare. I am glad to see that my summoner has such nice companions." Undine answers warmly.
Your admiration of the scene before you is suddenly cut short by a familiar voice shouting from the staircase.
"Anon!? It really is you then!?" Captain Aldren's voice calls.
"I give you one address and you end up unraveling the fabric of the magical governmental order!?" he says in annoyance as he comes up to you. "Do you have any idea how much paperwork this makes for me?! Not to mention it hasn't even been a week since the Rahndel incident which I am still filling out paperwork for."
The nerve of this guy, he is actually scolding you right now, you can't believe this.
"Now I have it on good sources that the four of the most prominent mages guilds in the kingdom have leaders guilty of corruption, kidnapping, conspiracy, murder and attempted murder!?" he continues on.
"Why the heck are you yelling at me as if I did it!?" you snap. "It's not my fault these guys are total scumbags!"
"What's next, hmm!? Are you going to find out that our king is somehow a dragon? Maybe uncover some scheme about how the local farm trade is a front for magical contraband?" Aldren says, maybe as frustrated with the whole situation as you are.
"Maybe you should go find out yourself then if you don't want us finding out for you." you huff.
The captain sighs and starts to collect himself.
"You did good, all things considered. I would have preferred you waited for my help, but it seems time wasn't exactly on your side, or so I'm told. I'm also glad you're all not dead. Now please allow some of my men to escort you down, we have some healers stationed at the bottom who can patch you all right up."
"Yeah yeah." you respond as you sheath your sword and put your spell book in its proper place. You hated that the captain had the nerve to try and dress you down for this entire incident, but you guess it came from a good place. He actually seems to like you.
"Thanks for coming though captain." you manage to say. "At least with you here I know this entire thing won't get swept under the rug."
"Not on my life." he proudly states.
Leaving the captain and the men he brought to their work, your group is led back down the tower. Flare takes extra notice of the scenes of the previous battles.
"You all fought so hard and still wanted to give more when you got to the top." Flare says as you all walk. "I finally get out to help you but I'm only good for a few shots and a couple spells. I'm sorry."
"You got nothing to be sorry for." Polka says. "You were fighting with Gildmoore the entire time, that makes you stronger than any of us."
"Polka is right, you know." you add. "The fact you came out swinging was awesome! And that thing you did with your arrow the one time, how you made a giant magical bird form around it. That was so cool!"
Once you reach the floor where Polka and Eldris had their battle, you notice Polka whisper something into Flare's ear. Flare's expressions go from shock, to sadness, and then something mischievous. As you all walk past Eldris who was now laying on the ground with his wrists and ankles bound, Flare pretends to trip and ends up stepping on both of Eldris' broken legs.
"Oops!" she mocks.
"You actually broke both of his legs?" you say trying to hold back laughter.
"I promised." was all Polka said on the matter.
"You're both too much!" Flare giggles.
"I'm still in disbelief how you all actually broke into the master's tower and effectively took down four of the most powerful mage leaders in the whole kingdom." Lena speaks up.
"We didn't do it alone." you correct her. "We owe just as much credit to Flare's mom after all. You were right Lena. They all bore scars of some sort from that day."
"Naname was an expert at lasting impressions to be sure." Lena says with a bittersweet smile.
Just outside the base of the tower are the healers the captain had promised. This was your first time actually feeling healing magic, it was weird to say the least. Watching your cuts and bruises slowly fade away while a warm feeling swells within you, is certainly an experience. While you all were being tended to, a few guards talked to each of you for your official recollection of the night's events.
"Just really a formality at this point." one of the guards says to you. "Between the captain, Master Lorenz's own word and the evidence inside, there's more than enough to put together formal charges. Not sure what the mages guilds are gonna do about this though. It's quite the mess inside and out."
"We did just kinda mess up the entire order of things around here didn't we?" Watame asks.
"'Kinda', would be an understatement." Lena answers. "But nevertheless, it had to be done. Finally after so many years. Naname and Tou will finally have the justice they deserve."
"You think they would be happy about this?" Flare asks her.
"They certainly would not be happy to find you in danger like that. But they would be overjoyed to hear that you all gave those jerks what they deserved. And I know that wherever they are, they are happy to see you have such great friends, Flare."
"They are kinda great aren't they?" She says with pride.
"Okay!" Polka shouts. "Where do you elves like to have your parties!? We need a stage, some drinks, some food, and some seats maybe."
"Ohhhhh all night celebration fever!" Watame cheers.
"I could probably eat a cow or two." Flare remarks.
"How do you all have energy to party!?" you ask in shock. "Healing magic is great for wounds, but my body's still screaming at me. Everything feels like jelly."
"Yup!" Polka says with Watame and Flare nodding.
"You heard 'em Lena, where to?" you say in defeat, you would not be getting an early night's sleep tonight, that's for sure.
"I guess the tavern in the middle of the city would be the best choice. I honestly don't know how you all don't want to fall into bed right now."
"After what we just lived through it'd be a shame not to live life to its fullest!" Polka states. "Besides, the people in the city are probably all confused and scared about what happened. We gotta show 'em that everything's alright now!"
"Yeah!" Watame adds. "We need to show them there's still things to sing and smile about!"
"And I can't go passing up the chance to eat and drink where my parents did, right?"
"Oh I haven't been able to observe how mortals celebrate in a long time." Undine chimes in.
"You should do more than observe!" Polka says. "Join us Undine! Anon, can you summon her back yet?"
"What?! I don't think mana gets stitched up like wounds do."
"Then we'll just have to get some donations then!" Polka chirps as she hops on top of a nearby bench. "Come one come all, if you want to see the most amazing spectacle imaginable! Watch Anon the summoner, bring the very spirit of water, Undine to our world right before your very eyes!"
"Polka! What the heck are you doing!?" you hiss. You are not prepared in any way to be a stage performance. What if whatever crazy plan Polka cooked up in seconds doesn't even work?
Curious passersby begin to gather around Polkas' presentation.
"For a small donation of your own mana to my assistant here, he can bring forth the spirit of legend herself! Be the very first on your block to say you've witnessed the first elemental summoning in centuries!"
A few tentatively come forward and place their hands on your shoulder. It was very small, but you could feel a little of their own mana flow into you.
"Don't be shy everyone! A little goes a long way, just slap it right onto my assistent there, he doesn't bite!"
As more and more elves step forward, you can feel more and more of your mana return to you. You were still nervous beyond reason. The last time was almost a fluke because of the mana Rezlen let seep into you, could you even do this with a full reserve of your own mana? You look up and see Undine happily watch the scene unfold. She looks nostalgic for some reason. You decide to let Polka know you are ready to give this a try.
"My lovely assistant is telling me he is ready to begin the summoning! Please stand back if you are afraid of water because things are about to get very wet! Anon would you please."
You tried to psych yourself up. Doing magic was one thing, but to do it in front of an expecting crowd was something else entirely. How do Polka and the others do this kind of thing anyway? When you compare it to everything else you had faced today alone, maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
You gather your focus mana. Once you feel confident everything is where it's supposed to be, you begin the summoning. A deep blue circle appears at your feet as words begin to find their way out of your mouth.
"I call upon the queen of the waters, I summon thee Undine!"
In a showy splash of water and mana, Undine materializes in front of you, sporting her finned tail instead of her legs. She looks way too comfortable with this, you think she is showing off on purpose. She lets the crowd applaud and take in the scene before switching her fish tail for normal legs.
"Now Undine can party with us!" Watame cheers.
"Thank you thank you!" Polka tells the applauding audience. "We hope you enjoyed this once in a lifetime event! Please come to the Five Tomes Tavern in a bit for more wonderful performances by yours truly and my friends Watame and Flare!"
"Now wasn't that easy?" Polka asks you, while getting down from her perch.
"Easy!? My heart felt like it was gonna jump out of my throat! I don't know how you all do this kind of thing."
"Aw c'mon you did great! And that little incantation you topped it off with, very nice improv."
"Whatever, let's just go eat, I'm starving."
Lena leads you through the city to the tavern she told you about. With a table procured and food and drinks arriving, you can finally relax and recharge. Polka and Watame tear through their food especially fast so they could get to the nearest stage and start to sing.
"They're going to do this everywhere they go aren't they?" you ask Flare who is sitting across from you next to Lena.
"Yup. I wouldn't change them for the world though."
"Me either. So, this scenes a little familiar don't you think?"
"It is, but now we got even more filled seats" Flare looks to Lene and smiles and to Undine as well.
"So the fifth spell." you start, you really couldn't help thinking about it again. "I could have never expected it to be a giant bear."
"I don't think I can ever forget it." Lena said. "A giant bear made of starlight took shape from the energy that poured out of you, and it just destroyed what defenses Glidmoore had left."
"It's easily your most powerful spell, Anon." Flare adds. "It uses your power from within more than any of your other ones."
"I wonder why we couldn't get it to work at first." you muse.
"If I may offer a theory?" Undine starts. "Perhaps since the fifth spell requires a lot more energy, and possesses even more destructive power, you may need to build up to it in a sense. In addition to supplying the right emotions and will to make the spell happen in the first place of course."
"Undine raises a good point." Lena agrees. "Even some of the most powerful spells require you to warm up in a way before being cast."
"I guess we'll go with that for now." you say. "This thing is really mysterious isn't it?"
"I'm afraid even I don't know what exactly your spell book could be, summoner. Since re-establishing our connection I have been able to feel the connection to the book. I can tell you that it responds to your emotions, both yours and the book readers, it seems to sometimes react accordingly to the wishes of both."
"A spellbook that works off the wishes of its owner…" Lena ponders. "And you mentioned that the spells seem to come to fit the situation?"
"Kinda, like back when Watame and I had our match against Noel, I kept thinking how much I needed to be stronger, to protect Watame, and then the stellaruke spell appeared. And the stellashield spell appeared after I made a promise to Noel to protect you too, Flare."
"Maybe spells in the book are not set in stone, or on paper to be more accurate." Lena suggests. "Maybe all your spells have yet to be written, and once you realize that potential or that desire for something, the book responds with a new spell."
"The book is indeed a reflection of your very soul summoner. I would know after all, I've been there." Undine adds.
"So Anon has a magical spell book that's part of his soul and an elemental spirit of water that also lives alongside both of them. Does it feel crowded in there yet? Flare jests.
"There will need to be room for my sisters." Undine states.
"Are you saying Anon can continue to make pacts with more spirits?" Lena asks.
"Oh I'm sorry summoner. I spoke ahead of myself. If I may make a request? I would like you to seek out and make pacts with my sisters, the other elemental spirits. I would very much like to reunite with them."
You are taken aback for a second, this is the first time Undine ever asked for you anything, you are actually tickled pink over it.
"Well sure, Undine. All you gotta do is ask whenever there's something you need. I'm a little confused though, are you not able to talk to them right now?"
"There was a time long ago where we merely had to think of one another and we could communicate. That is part of how we maintained balance in the world. Since we have all been asleep however, that connection has been severed."
That thought hits you hard. Imagine an entire family that you shared such a deep connection with that a mere thought could bring you together. Now with that connection suddenly cut off, you don't know how Undine stays so calm about it.
"I was merely in a dream before you called out to me, it pulled me back to this world."
"So all the others are just sleeping? Can I just call out to them to wake them up? Watame and I were able to find some of their names in a book we found in the human kingdom."
"I'm afraid it won't be that simple." Undine shakes her head. "Ours was a chance encounter since you were in the ocean itself when you called for me. I'm still unsure what happened to create our connection from just that, but it will not work for the others."
"Yeah now that you mention it, I was able to reforge our connection after finding pieces of an old shrine dedicated to you, and Lena thinks you made that lake up there where we found those pieces."
"That lake was one of my finer works, yes." Undine says with a hint of pride.
"So to call out to the others we will need to find places they have a strong connection with?"
"That is correct. Unfortunately I cannot recall where exactly those places might be. I am sorry."
"No worries, Undine. We got a lot more world to see and explore. I'm sure we'll run into these places eventually."
"Can I make a suggestion?" Lena asks. "You might be able to find a shrine for the spirit of ice in the Land of Silver to the far north. Though getting there is only half the battle."
"The land of silver." Flare says to herself. "That kingdom is said to be the most powerful in terms of magic, but it closes itself off to most of the world aside from strict trade. My father would often talk about how stubborn he finds its politics."
"That is right, Flare. It is a home to our northern kin, elves like us, but even so, they have very little communication with us."
"Maybe we don't head straight there." you suggest. "I also doubt the way to Watame's home is in the middle of a place they barely let people in and out of."
"A fair assessment." Lena says.
"And hey we don't have to worry so much about where we're going next anyway." you say taking another drink from your mug. "We only just got here after all, right Flare?"
"Right!" Flare says with a smile, appreciative of the gesture.
"Oi Flare! It's time for your number!" Polka shouts from across the tavern, beckoning her over.
"Coming!" Flare shouts, as she gets up with a smile and skips over to her friends, ready to perform again with them.
"I never thought I would live to see the day." Lena says almost to herself. "Nanamae's daughter, here, smiling, singing, surrounded by good friends."
"You should really meet her father, you know." you say. "I'm sure he would like to meet you. The person responsible for bringing his daughter to him. Same goes for Noel."
You begin to take another swig of your drink as a realization hits you. Noel.
"Oh Crap!" you yelp. "Do you think her father and Noel will find out about what we've been doing since we got here!? Noels gonna kill me when she finds out what kinda danger Flare was in. She's gonna kill me again for not asking for help!"
Undine looks confused over your self-induced panic as you try to think if it will be possible to never have to see Noel again, or to somehow make it so the situation sounds like a lot better than it actually was.
"I don't see why they would want to kill you, summoner. You were able to save Flare without their help, they will likely be relieved and grateful."
"Undines right, and besides, there wasn't any time to get word all the way to the human kingdom AND wait for them to get here. Although it was risky, you made the right call. And thank you again, for inspiring me to believe in that decision."
"Thanks Lena." Both Undine's and Lena's words calm you down a little. "I hope you're both right about that. But don't sell yourself short though Lena, we couldn't have gotten out of that mess without you."
"Well thank you Anon. Truly. What will you do next anyway I wonder."
"Not sure. The next thing on our list is to try and find Watames home which we have narrowed our search down to anywhere. Also I'd say it's also up to Flare. We came here to find out about her home and family, and we kinda did that like a whirlwind. After what she went through, she might want to go home for a bit, or stay here for a while, who knows. We can figure all that out later."
The three girls practically burst back to the table, Flare taking the one next to you as you were in the middle of another drink.
"Hey Anon, so I was thinking, after all that's happened today, if you want to go ahead and ask Noel to marry you, you'll have my full support!"
You choked on your drink right there. The fit of coughing had the three girls in stitches with laughter.
"Where the hell did that come from!? What?!" you finally manage to get out.
"You should have seen the look on your face!" Flare says between laughs
"You're terrible." you grumble.
."But you didn't say no…curious." Polka says smugly with a hint of malice.
"I'm not doing this!" you declare, your dad had teased you enough in your life about this sort of thing to tell you where this was going.
"I do not understand your conflict summoner. Is it not encouraged for mortals to find ideal mates? If you fear the strength of this Noel, she must be very strong. An endorsement from Flare might be very beneficial."
"Undine!" you shout as the laughter from the girls comes back in full force.
"Do you not find her attractive?" she then asks.
"That is not the issue!"
"But if she is attractive to you, is strong, and has the approval of your friends, I am having trouble seeing your hesitation."
"She's VERY attractive Undine." Watame adds. "It's hard not to stare sometimes."
"And I remember the look on your face when you two were fighting Anon. You were having quite the good time getting up close and personal with her." Flare chimes in deviously.
As your discomfort grows you see and hear Polka pounding the table out of hysterics. Watame's smirk could not be any larger if she tried.
"Watame stop! And you are taking that completely out of context Flare!" you try to recover from the spiraling trap that had been set for you. You can't believe Undine had unknowingly made things so much worse, that was it though! You will have to explain things to her.
"Okay first of all. Marrying someone is a very very big deal. You need to have a very special and close bond. I don't really know Noel that well. Second of all!" you stop as you begin to remember the act that usually follows marriage, or sometimes leads to it. It was as though you could feel the blood leave your face as it goes white at the idea of Noel and her immense strength coupled with a potentially dominant nature. "I'm not getting into that right now!"
"Oh I see, so in addition to being strong, attractive and accepted by your friends you want to share a special connection before deciding on marriage. Interesting. By those requirements you may be ready to marry Flare, Watame or Polka?"
The laughter and snickering was put on ice. It was finally their turn to be caught off guard.
"Do you have to choose just one?" Undine continues. "That would seem like a waste. In my opinion all three would make wonderful wives for you."
"Okay let's just stop that right there!" Flare says through her beat red face. "I'm going to the bathroom."
Polka and Watame also nod through embarrassed faces and follow Flare.
"I better go check on them." Lena says, trying to hold back a giggle.
You take a deep breath and look over to Undine who is now wearing a smug smile of her own. DId she really just?
"Do you think that was too much teasing, summoner? I'm sorry some had to be at your expense, but I think that evened the score."
"That was pretty good Undine, you actually had me going too." you laugh.
"I was being serious about the question about choosing just one, if you wouldn't mind indulging me."
"Uhh well. In human culture it's traditional to just have one wife, and perhaps with elves too? I don't really know how other races and cultures handle this sort of thing yet."
"Hmmm so maybe if you wanted, you could have a wife from multiple races, I think they used to call that a harem."
"Now you're just going overboard. Either way, I'm not thinking about marriage any time soon. Too many other things to do first ya know?"
"It will be quite an adventurous life we will live, won't it? I suppose the prospect of marriage will be best saved for later then.
"Thank you Undine." you say, grateful that the topic is hopefully behind you for now.
The girls return and take their seats, Flare extends her hand to you. "Truce?" she says.
You smile and shake her hand, there was no point in everyone getting more flustered was there?
"With that awkwardness out of the way." Flare says rising from her seat. "I just wanted to say again, thank you all for saving me. After we came here and I learned about my parents from Lena, I didn't know what to think anymore. Who was I? Who could I be? Am I supposed to even be here? Where can I belong? Those were the types of questions I asked myself for a long time, I never had a good answer for them. After tonight, I think I finally have an answer I'm proud of."
"I'm Flare Shiranui. A half-elf. The living proof of my parents' love, someone they gave up everything for. They wanted more than anything for me to exist, so I will keep living to be the best I can be. I could have no real place in either the elven or human kingdom for the rest of my life, and that will be just fine. I now know that as long as I am with the people I care about, the where doesn't matter. If I have people I care about, people that want me around and need me. That's more than enough purpose for me. My father, Noel, Polka, Watame, Anon, Undine, Aunt Lena, and all the new friends we might make on our journey. I know with you is where I'm meant to be."
You all clapped for the heartfelt speech, and you could see Flare was trying to hold back tears of joy.
"Thank you everyone! I love you all!"
"Summoner, does that mean she is ready for mar-" Undine starts to whisper to you before you cut her off with a gesture.
"No, that is platonic. Stop." you say as Undine smirks again. What have you invited into your life?
"Toast!" Polka exclaims as she raises one of her feet onto her chair.
The rest of you follow suit with your own chairs and mugs.
"To Flare! Who has more courage than anyone I ever met, and is someone I'll be proud to stand by forever!" Polka starts. "To new friends, I'm glad we found such an important person to Flare and they could bring smiles to each other! And Undine! We are humbled to be in the presence of the queen of the waters!"
"And to kicking the asses of a bunch of scumbag mages who were just downright terrible people!" Polka roars in triumph as she begins to down her drink.
The rest of you finished your own drinks and slammed them on the table, excited to get even more. All of you shared merry, laughs, and even more drinks through the night. Before long it was time to get back to Lena's house.
"They were the ones who wanted to drink." you say as you carried Watame on his back through the dimly lit streets. "How did we get stuck carrying them all home?"
"Your, I mean our friends certainly like to celebrate." Undine who is carrying a snoring mumbling Polka on her back.
"How are you doing Lena? Need to take a breather?" you ask, looking over to Lena who had Flare cradled in her arms.
"I'm fine!" Lena strains to say. "I've carried Flare over much longer distances and for much longer if you recall."
"Yeah, when she was a baby." you remark.
The climb to Lena's home was difficult, but through some effort and the desire to let the girls have a well deserved slumber, you get everyone into comfortable sleeping spots in the upstairs study. Surprising you again, Undine yawns and takes what had been your spot the night before. When she's here physically, she is just like everyone else isn't she?
You follow Lena downstairs who starts to brew herself some hot water for tea.
"Are you not going to sleep too?" she asks.
"Oh I'm exhausted don't worry, Undine kinda took my bed so I'm just gonna crash down here if that's okay."
"It wouldn't be a problem to add one more."
"That's really alright Lena, I'll be fine down here." you say firmly.
"I see their teasing really got to you tonight then." she says with a smile.
"I'm not gonna dignify that with a response. I'm just a little tipsy still and I don't need to be thinking weird things when I sleep okay?"
"You're quite the gentleman Anon. Should Flare ever hope to pursue you, she will have my full support."
"Hey! Truce!"
"Your truce was strictly with Flare, it did not include me in any way."
"You're all terrible. I'm going to sleep." you say in a huff as you plant yourself on the living room couch.
"Good night Anon." Lena giggles as she brings her brewed tea with her to her room.
This was easily the most crazy day you've ever had. It's almost hard to believe it actually all happened. You reunited with Undine like you wanted, but that also meant Flare was put in immense danger. It still baffles you to think people actually think like those mage masters do. The thought should be more foreboding, but you remember your pact with Undine. You were going to be someone who can protect people from power hungry jerks like them. It certainly won't be easy, but with your friends watching your back, how can you lose? Your half drunk mind quickly passes off to sleep, vivid images of a couple certain girls in your life plaster themselves along your thoughts. They're all pretty great aren't they?