~ Chapter 8 ~

[ One After Another ]

'…So it seemeth that they've finally madeth contact with her? '

'Mmhm! It seems so.'

'Impressive… I never once bethought that a dragon wouldst still be alive, much less so her. I assumed there wast nothing important in that cave! '

'Okay, I agree with you on the first bit, but not the second. I mean, the mythical sword, the pile of gold and the dragon bones? '

'Besides those. I'm talking about an actual living thing. A someone, if you will. There hasn't ever been a noteworthy resident of that cave since that Integrity Knight came out of nowhere and did challenge her to a fight—or a slaughter. T'was rather one-sided. '

'True, but she did fight to the very end. Isn't that amazing? '

'The lady wast unfortunate. The odds were stacked 'gainst her favour. But to wend out not with a whimper, but with pride, is something I'm willing to accept on her parteth. A dragon is of many things, and pride runs in their veins. She is no different; she wouldst rather kick the bucket than surrender. In that regard, she has mine respect.'

'True that… Also, how many times have I told you to just talk normally? It's been centuries at this point! You're giving me headaches with your flowery language! '

'To beest fair, milady, I am a floweth'r. '

'Uuurgh. Sounds like I am talking to an old man—Don't. I can tell you were planning to say you're old as a joke. Zip it. '

'…As thee hest. '

Getting knocked out unconscious doesn't seem so scary this time. The last time it occurred, his mind helpfully reminded in its state of grogginess, was when he thought it was a good idea to try and attack an Integrity Knight. That sure felt like forever, and him being out cold felt just as long.

His moment of unconsciousness did not last right after that final thought. Kirito awoke with a start, coughing fervently as one grasped at his chest. Tight. That was all he could feel, as if something had crushed his entire body moments prior. None of his body refused to stop hurting. Not from being pressed down, not from the overexertion, and most certainly not from the cold against his skin.

Distantly, he heard someone's voice calling his name. He wasn't sure who it was, but with his eyes screwed shut and him a little preoccupied with his hacking, it was hard to make out whom it was.

Eventually, as a hand began patting his back to help ease the pain, he felt focus return to him. He was calming down once more. Didn't make the pain go away, but knowing that he was alive and all made him feel much better.

"E-Eugeo..?" He realized his voice sounded coarse, as if it was run through grit and gravel.. "Is… Is it over..?"

"Y-Yeah, it is," there was a muted sense of joy in his tone. "You did it."

"Ack… Not just me… Right?" He looked up. Not at a specific point, though. "Hey, you still there..?"

'I am,' even with his small amount of vision, he was able to make out a floating, simmering ball of light right in front of him. Its hues of ice blue and aurora pinks and purples helped distinguish it from the rest of the environment. 'I'm… so glad that you're okay. You broke your ribs from the corpse falling atop you, but you should be fine now. I cast a fairly strong healing spell on you.'

"That… That so..?" He gently tapped his chest. Not that bad, in all honestly. More than that, though, he was surprised that there are healing spells, when the best a 'Luminous' element could do is stop the bleeding. Must require more complicated syntaxes to accomplish. "Thanks for that… Definitely appreciate being alive."

Slowly, he turned his gaze away from the floating orb, taking in his surroundings. They were still in the ice cavern, its icy blue colouring still unchanged. What was new, however, are the signs of destruction in the area, judging by the gaping holes in the ceiling and walls and the pieces of rock and rubble scattered everywhere. Hints of black were spotted in nearby areas, too. A direct effect of the corpse dragon's breath. Really looked as if a war had broken out here.

Kirito let out a shuddering breath, gripping his forehead with one hand. 'Just great. First, you went off and fought goblins. Now, you've got a freaking dragon, dead as it may have been, on that list. What's next? A world-eating giant? Otherworldly entities? The goddesses themselves?' He desperately prayed that would never be the case, because if so, then that level of heresy would earn him a ticket straight to wherever sinners' souls go to be tortured for the rest of eternity. He'd prefer to go without that. "So… now what? It's over, so we should… get back already, shouldn't we?"

"Not like this, you are," Eugeo's stern voice had him wincing a little. "You look horrible. Everyone will be asking you what happened. Plus, you'd just woken up after having fought a dragon. You need to rest."

"…True. But we've been out for too long. I bet it's already evening."

'It is,' the voice confirmed. Eugeo looked mildly upset by that, but chose not to comment. 'But Eugeo is right nevertheless. You should take the time now to recover,' her tone grew concerned. 'You pushed yourself a little too much earlier. Immediately moving once more after what transpired earlier is not wise.'

"…Gah. Fine, fine. I can't win against the both of you, so I may as well," he ignored the pleased hum from the voice and the look of relief on Eugeo's face, opting to throw his head back and let out a drawled groan. "Daaamn… Of all the things we had to pick a fight with…"

"No kidding. Our craziest day yet."

"Hopefully the only one from here on out," he sighed. The goddesses know now that he was willing to go back to normal. That sounds really nice. And then, he turned to look at the floating orb. "Say… What do we call you? You technically know our names, but we don't know yours."

'Ah, yes. Forgive me. I'd already given my name to Eugeo in the time you were unconscious, but I hadn't yet with you. Ahem. My name is Selena, the Algor Halcyon. The dragon of the north. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Kirito.'

"Selena, eh?" He rubbed his chin in thought. A pretty unique name, all things considered. He'd heard all kinds of quirky names his whole life, although this one is—"Wait a minute. Dragon?"

"You heard her right," his friend sighed. "Selena is… was apparently the dragon that lived in this very cave. She watched over Norlangarth for a really long time."

"What," he looked to the dragon skeleton lying atop the gold. "What," then he looked back at Selena. At the not-at-all-a-dragon. "What?"

Well... He supposed there isn't really a resemblance, though she could be forgiven considering the fact that her current form isn't exactly draconic in nature.

"So…" He aimed a thumb at the skeleton. "That's you?"

'It is a little shameful to admit it, but yes, that is me,' she sighed.

"Oof. Must not be fun looking at your own skeleton—ow," Eugeo jabbed him in the side with his elbow, calling him rude.

'No, it most certainly isn't. Well, before today I actually haven't, but now that I am looking at my own skeleton, it isn't pleasant, ' yeah, he can imagine. He doubted he'd be fine seeing his own dead body if that ever happens either—hopefully never. 'Err. If we you don't mind, I'd like to change topics for a moment. And if I could, might I ask how natural you were at fighting earlier? '

"Natural?" He parroted with a chuckle. "Selena, I was just moving on instinct. That was pretty pathetic of me, if you think about it."

'Rough that your movements may have been, you didn't seem too fazed by it. In fact, you looked so in control and assured during the entire time, it makes me wonder if you've ever been in a fight before. You didn't hesitate in any steps whatsoever.'

"I have," he ignored his friend gawking at him and her own sound of surprise. He simply shook his head. "It's fine, Eugeo. Not like Selena can go around gossiping about this sort of stuff to others. But yeah, I've fought before. Goblins."

He didn't miss the sharp intake of breath. 'Goblins? ' She shakily asked. 'Here? '

"Kirito and I… found them trying to take some of our friends back to their place. They were in the woods at the time," Eugeo frowned, lifting his right arm. "I got injured, but otherwise than that, no one else got hurt. Kirito tried to buy me time to get the girls away. A little too reckless, just like today," he grouched.

"Whoa, okay now. It was a necessary move on my part, and I think that's completely acceptable, don't you think?"

"Not if it means you could have died! Seriously! Gabura was easily five times your size!"

"Well, sure! But that also means that I—"

'Gabura? ' Selena's interjection put a halt on their banter. 'You met Gabura that night? Where is he now? '

"Ah…" Even after having accepted the fact that he'd been the one to take his life that night, Kirito still felt that wave of discomfort washing over him as he tried to vocalize his answer. "He… I killed him that night," Selena went quiet afterwards, further twisting the metaphorical knife in his gut. "Did you… know him?"

'…No. Perhaps not this Gabura, ' she replied. 'Certain races in the Dark Territory have a tradition of passing on one's name to the offspring. Typically the father to his son, as a sign of entrusting his heir with the family. I myself recalled meeting a goblin of the Gabura family, though that had been a century ago. Likely the fifth…'

And he'd just killed who was likely the last descendant. "I'm sorry."

'No, don't be… If the one you slew had half of the morals that the one I met did, then I'm sure he asked you to cut him down yourself, did he not? ' What? How could she—'Hah… That old fool taught his children well. Idiot…'

"…He was so damned complicated. He first tried to kidnap our friends, and then I killed his friend to rile them up. We had a fight, if you could even call it that, and someone came to help me. Before he could attack her, I dealt a blow to his backside. Then, he told me to end him," onyx eyes harden at the memory. How fresh it is on the mind, even with months putting that event behind them. "He was a brute, a savage… And all of a sudden, he seemed like such an honourable person. Like, what the hell? I hated him in the start, and then I just couldn't."

'That's just how the Gabura family is. They value strength and respect those that have beaten them. They were a unique kind amongst the goblins. Plenty of other people out in the Dark Territory that are like that.'

"Have you ever been?" Eugeo asked next. "To the Dark Territory, I mean."

That seemed unlikely, considering that Selena oversees Norlangarth's protection. Trespassers would be met with a swift end, though for the few that had successfully bypassed the border, she might have encountered some.

Selena floated backwards, humming in thought. 'Well… Not necessarily, but I do know some people there. And I will admit. They… They're not so different from you humans, or even myself.'

"Not so different..?"

"We breathe the same air, we could walk on the same ground, we could eat the same things…" The ravenette let out an exhale, remembering the proud Gabura. "We have emotions, desires, likes, dislikes, family. We cry when we're sad, we laugh when something's funny, we bleed when we get cut, we try and help everyone around us… When you ignore all the differences between us, there really is nothing so different beyond our looks, is there?"

"…"

"Damn… Were there good people there, Selena? We'd all been taught by the Axiom Church to fear the people from the Dark Territory; to assume that they're nothing but savages hellbent on destroying us. But… How true is that? Are they simple folks just like us, and we've all been wrong?"

'Kirito…' An emotion he wasn't aware of slipped into her voice. She let out a shaky gasp right after, joy and sadness intermingling in a way that made her seem more human than he'd thought. 'It isn't anyone's fault. You are right to doubt the people outside of your lands, but… Yes. There are some there who are genuinely nice. Who are just people wanting to live their day-to-day as best as they can.'

Just like them.

For some reason, hearing that answer was… relieving. Had a part of him expected otherwise? Were that the case, he knew that he would have been so upset, so to know that there actually are good people in the Dark Territory was just nice.

Had a part of him began to doubt all things thus far because of all the experiences he's had? Things had been so hectic that he'd never given himself time to sit down and think them through, simply going through the motions to not deal with the complicated things. He'd done that after Alice's departure, after all.

Alice… Fuck. Just thinking about her still hurts. Not as much as the first day after she'd been gone, but he's glad. It just means that he hasn't completely forgotten about her.

And that means he can't turn his head away from everything else either. It's his duty to see them through no matter what. And he's got to do whatever he can to make sure of that.

"Selena. There's… something I need to ask of you. But you need to promise me that you won't freak out, okay?"

'That's… rather ominous, but very well. What is the issue? '

Kirito. A truly peculiar boy that she has some amount of affinity for, though the reason why was unclear.

Was it her respect for him? He did risk himself trying to dispel her curse and protect Norlangarth, so that certainly played a part. Or could it be because she;d finally realized that a part of her had been with him since the day he'd gained his calling as a tree cutter all this while? That he'd gone so far as to use that part of her to cut down her curse?

Whatever it was, Selena did not know of many humans who were this unique from the batch. For being just a boy, he's proven himself to be rather capable and sharper than he initially seems.

Perhaps that was why she was willing to simply hear him out. It wouldn't be enough to repay him for having almost died (she'll definitely find some way to make it up to him for that), but she would be willing to do so.

And then, she's not sure what to think.

'…So allow me to simplify, for my own understanding.'

"Sure."

'Gabura requested you to find someone by the name of 'Eirelyn' in the city of Centoria, and pass on the message of his death to her? '

"That's the basic gist of it," she noticed how, beside him, Eugeo looked somewhat surprised. Had he not been told of this before? Curious. "I… Well, it's a man's dying wish. I don't think I could have said 'no' to him, although that does sound like a really painful request to make…"

"It… really is. Why did—"

"I not tell you? Sorry. You know I didn't mean to hide anything from you, I…"

Eugeo waved him off. "No, not that. Honestly, you probably just forgot to or something. What I'm more curious about is how Gabura even knows of a human, much less so where she lives," his question prompted a look of surprise from his friend. "What kind of relationship do they share, for him to ask you to find this specific person—a human no less—to inform of his passing? You'd think it'd be something like 'Find my family', which would mean we'd have to go into the Dark Territory. We obviously can't."

"That's right… Wait, what? I never actually considered that before."

'A very astute question to make on this situation, and one that I myself am not certain of. However, there's no denying that whoever this young woman is, she must be important to Gabura in some way.'

"And that makes it all the more necessary that we have to find her," Kirito said with a firm tone. Beside him, Eugeo nodded in agreement. Not a single ounce of hesitation in them.

'I see… No wonder you'd asked me to find this monster upsetting your village. With it out of the way, Integrity Knight Fanatio will return to Centoria. You can then finish your calling and head off to Centoria to find Eirelyn, correct? '

Kirito nodded. "Yeah. It's a final request, and... well, I don't have the heart to deny him that. I have to go."

The kindness he holds towards what should have been an enemy is heartwarming, and whatever doubts she could have possibly had was immediately dispersed. 'I see… Very well. I will assist you with the monster.'

"Thank you... But, um, don't we need to restore your body first or something?"

'While it is somewhat of an issue, not having a body at the moment, I am still capable of making use of Lady Stacia's gifts just the same as any other, ' the dragoness said calmly. 'You had witnessed it, did you not? I was still able to cast «Sacred Arts» just like you, so that should not be of any difficulty to me. '

"I… guess you're not wrong there. But you don't mind helping?"

'It isn't a question of whether I mind or not. It's simply my duty, ' she huffed. 'This resurrection is a second opportunity. I shan't throw aside my duty as a Cardinal Dragon, no matter the circumstance. Hence, I will lend you my aid regardless.'

And just the though of that felt right. Serving as a protector of the Human Empire simply felt natural to her, so the concept did not bother her. If anything, it simply left her eager to serve.

Dragons may have been on the top of the food chain, so they're naturally egoistic and used to seeing other lifeforms as lower beings. But Selena? She was rather fond of the humans. Their genuine way of living and their interactions with one another is something that she could never grow tired of witnessing. And getting to be part of that is just wonderful.

So, perhaps, her choice here is more to the people than the empires themselves, considering that they're under the ironclad and manipulative rule of the church. That much, she was certain.

'Still, it would be much too difficult to locate this troublemaker from within here. If I were to properly track it down, we must move to your village.'

"Wait, what?" Pairs of greens and blacks widen, the owner of the former perking up with a look of concern on his face. "Is that such a good idea? Wouldn't it cause trouble if you get found out?"

"Plus, you said yourself that you were killed by an Integrity Knight before. And there's one in our village at the moment. He might report you to the church, and issues to properly eradicate you might be issued."

'Ah… I suppose that is a concern, yes,' well, that's a little bothersome. Finally, she'd regained her consciousness and her soul after centuries of being presumably dead. There was no way she would be confining herself to this cave; her lair has already been ruined from the battle. A change of scenery would be nice. 'Hmm… Well, I suppose I do have one way to handle this, though I would need a volunteer. Either yourself or Eugeo would be fine.'

"Volunteer?" Kirito narrowed his eyes. "That totally doesn't sound suspicious…"

Is that… sarcasm in his voice? Hah! That he could muster some at all was enough to make her laugh a little. 'I can assure you, the process isn't life-threatening in the slightest— '

"That you felt the need to point out to begin with is only more worrying!"

'—So, what say you? It will be a fairly quick one.'

Kirito hardly looked pleased by the idea. A 'tough customer', as she once heard a human merchant put it. Not like she could blame him; without any explanation as to what she would be doing, it certainly does seem a little suspicious. But it doesn't hurt! And no one will be getting hurt whatsoever!

Although, it seemed like Eugeo was much quicker on the trigger, tapping on his best friend's shoulder and bearing a calm smile on his face. "It's okay," he said, looking towards Selena now. "Whatever it is that you need to do, I'm okay with it."

"Seriously? But that's…"

"She said that it'll be fine, right? I want to help however I can, no matter how small it'll be. I trust her," that he does at all is a relief. Most people would be thinking twice about trusting some random floating soul—but she bears no ill intent! She promises! "Whatever you need to do, Selena, I'm okay for it."

'My thanks, Eugeo. I assure you, this shan't be painful in the slightest.'

And then, quickly muttering the necessary incantations under her breath, she stabs right into his chest.

It was actually night now.

With no way to properly tell the time, since the sound of the village's bells couldn't reach all the way to the mountains, they were bound to have overstayed their time out in the cave. And now that they're finally out, they could safely say that they're in so much trouble once they get back home.

"On the plus side, sky's looking pretty tonight, eh?"

"…Being optimistic. I appreciate that."

And it really is. With the charcoal sky dotted with countless stars, the gifts of Lunaria glimmered beautifully like gems. It was a sight that they'd gotten very used to, considering that they've been living here for eleven years and have looked up every night to catch sight of any difference in the night sky.

It's enough to bring back memories of their time spent sitting underneath the Gigas Cedar with Alice. After a day spent of working the tree, they'd be eating together, trading banter beneath the stars and simply passing the time away captivated by the sights.

'Beautiful…' The third member of their little party muttered to herself. 'So long have I not seen the firmaments like this… Lady Stacia, who has created the world and its inhabitants. And Lady Lunaria, the goddess of the moon who oversees everyone's pleasant dreams. Together, such wonderful sights that some take for granted, but oh-so beautiful…'

"You haven't seen the sky for so long, Selena?"

'Not at all. Dead people are often incapable of doing anything at all.'

"Morbidly put, but you're not wrong there… Also, you couldn't have given a word of warning before you did that?"

Eugeo simply chuckles at his best friend's deadpanning, raising his right arm… and where the serrated lines are etched across his skin and flesh, faint lines emanating hues of blues, purples and pinks are spread across his arm. A faint mist seemed to envelope it like a layer, cold, akin to a breeze.

'Forgive me, but I'm certain you would have been opposed to it if I even made mention of inhabiting your friend's body.'

"With good reason!" He cried out. Eugeo just laughed at his reaction, prompting him to groan. "Seriously… I thought I was about to have a heart attack. You looked like you were going to kill Eugeo."

'As if I would,' she huffed, somewhat insulted. 'What good do I get out of killing your friend? You two have been wonderful companions thus far. There is no way I would have repaid your kindness with such heartlessness.'

"Okay, okay. Jeez, make me the villain here, why don't you?"

Putting that matter aside, however, Selena must admit that her heart yearns to soar once more. Just as she had, many centuries ago, flying amongst the clouds and the birds and witnessing the world down below from great heights above. Never did it fail to leave such a wonderful feeling in her chest back then, and she desired to do that now as well.

Still, this change is perspective has its own charms as well. Seeing the world from a human's point of view is… well, it makes it seem as if the world has suddenly become much, much larger. And that prospect is equal amounts terrifying and exciting.

She supposed that's why the prospect of discovery and exploration becomes so enticing to humans. Because of how massive the world is, there's no shortage of things to find out there. It would take time, energy and grit to get there, of course. But that feeling of discovering that one thing…

As she reminisced about her time as a dragon and pondered on the life of humans, Kirito and Eugeo began their journey back towards Rulid. She could spot it from a distance; the glows of torches cast it in shades of reds and oranges that help contrast the village against the pitch darkness of its surroundings. She could only spot the bell tower, the other buildings hidden behind its surrounding wall. In the distance, what she couldn't miss whatsoever is the massive tree that towers over just about everything.

The sight of that particular tree sets some curiosity into her, prompting her to ask. 'Kirito, Eugeo,' both boys hum at her. 'Might I ask what that tree is? '

"Hmm? That one? It's the Gigas Cedar. Biggest and oldest tree in the book, and quite honestly the worst pain in our sides."

"Kirito," he tutted for his lack of tact, though he sounded no less in agreement. "Both of us are the seventh generation of tree cutters. We're supposed to cut that thing down using the Dragon Bone Axe that was sent to us from Centoria."

'Is that so..? '

Well, that's a little upsetting. To know that, following her death, a piece of her had been used to make such a crude tool for such a lacklustre and time-wasting job—honestly, couldn't they at least try and make it look a little more ornate? It looked so poorly put together!

On the other hand, however, her curiosity regarding the tree dwarfed her initial disappointment. 'The Gigas Cedar. It has been around for a very long time, then? '

"Well, we think so? I mean, you've lived here your whole life, so you should know. You must've seen it so many times while you're flying out here."

'Not at all. I ask precisely because I had never seen this tree before,' she replied. Kirito looked taken aback, and Eugeo was the same. 'This is the first time I've seen this… Gigas Cedar in my life. Before my death, it had never existed.'

"What? But… don't trees take forever to grow? Especially up until this size."

'That is true… If I'm right, this might be under eighty Mel. Still, it's a massive one, and you're tasked with cutting it down? Why?'

Kirito comes to a halt, prompting Eugeo to do the same. He points his finger at a trajectory, likely towards the fields of gold to the south of the village, which is barely visible in the dark. "The Gigas Cedar is known as the 'demon tree'. Seems a little mean, until you consider how it's practically sucking up all the resources in the area. It's why, if you've noticed, no other trees grow near it. And the soil there is actually a little drier. It's because all the resources get sucked up straight by the Gigas Cedar."

"We need to cut it down so that it opens up opportunities for Gigas Cedar to expand its wheat fields southwards," Eugeo continued. "It'll be good for Rulid's economic growth that way; more land to grow wheat would mean more crops that we can trade or sell, and that'll mean a higher income for the village."

"Definitely. Agriculture provides food. One of, if not the most necessary thing we need. We eat to live, after all. There's no shortage of people who need it, and would readily buy and invest in."

As the two fell silent, Selena opted to just look over the scenery. The Gigas Cedar truly is massive when compared to the rest of the forest, sticking out like a sore thumb. Just the thought of seeing that felled someday would be…

Before she could make a comment on the boys' surprisingly extensive knowledge regarding economy (that doesn't seem like something children should know of, let alone understand!), movement within the village catches her eye. Sharing Eugeo's vision, she focuses on the village.

Torches were scattering here and there. They literally looked like little wisps moving across the streets from this distance, reminding her of the form that she's currently taking.

'…Is there some sort of event going on in your village? ' Her question snapped the boys out of their stupor. 'Look, towards your village. It seems that everyone is up and about. Perhaps there is some sort of performance going on, though I don't recall seeing anything similar to this one before during my time.'

"…No. I don't think so," stepping forwards, the ravenette stared at their village for a moment longer before moving once more. "Something feels wrong. Come on, let's go check it out."

What started out as a brisk walk quickly turned into a jog before eventually turning into a full sprint back. Kirito proved himself to be incredibly fast, even with the axe in his hold, but Eugeo kept pace all the same. And housed within Eugeo's body for the time being, she could feel the coldness in his chest.

This isn't good.

They'd reached the village much quicker than the distance should have actually allowed. Finally passing the northern archway that lead into the village, both breathless and exhausted but no less panicked, they were quick to witness the number of people rushing about, torches in hand and shouting at one another in the night. Some pushed past against them, ignoring them in favour of carrying out their duties.

What is this? From their expressions and what few words she could catch, it seemed as if something had gone awry in the village. Are they searching for someone?

Kirito's attempt to call for someone failed, as the noise simply muted him out. His expression morphed into frustration as he attempted a couple of times, but with the sudden bustling nature of the village, he may as well have been nothing more but a fly to the rest of the people here.

"Eugeo, Kirito!" Both boys perk up, spotting a young man with brown hair tied back in a wolftail jogging over to them. She did not miss the hidden weapons mounted to his wrist, along with the few knives he had attached to his belt. Must be one of the village's hunters. "Where in the world did you guys go?! It's already late out, you should've been home by now!"

"Ack… Err, w-we thought we saw something and went out to check?"

"…Goddesses, that was a lame excuse if I'd ever heard one," he sighed. "Sir Orick and his daughter are gonna' have a fit when you get back… Whatever. As long as you're safe. You'd best get inside already."

"Huh? Is something happening?"

"No time to explain. I swear, you guys better get your butts back home! Don't let me catch you staying outside!"

"Wait, Akos! You need to—" He lost his chance once the man ran off, darting towards the sheep pasture. "Damn it!" He cursed. "What's going on here? Why's everyone in such a rush?"

'Had something transpired during your time of absence? '

"Could be, but we don't know what's happened… Ah, Hotaru!"

"Kirito?" A familiar brown-haired kid came over to them, surprise apparent on his expression. "And Eugeo? What're you guys doing here? I thought you two were gone!"

"Stuff happened, whatever. Listen. You need to tell us what's going on right now. What happened while we were away?"

"I don't know. I was just helping my dad with some stuff back home, and the next thing I know, everyone is suddenly running around like headless chickens. No idea what's gotten everyone's feathers ruffled," suddenly, he stopped to look around. In the ensuing chaos, it was far too loud to make out his voice, so he got close to the two boys. "Don't tell anyone I told you this, but some people just went missing… Five in total."

"What? Missing?"

"Shh, shh!" He swung his arms around. "They don't want people knowing that..! Right now, we're using the excuse that only one person is gone so that everyone is even more panicked. We've been ordered to say that in case anyone asks."

Kirito simply scoffed in return. "Well, that's ridiculous. It's much worse if everyone thinks that way and the four others are left on their own. Who issued that order?"

"I did."

That voice. Within the flaxen-haired boy's arm, Selena could feel her own hairs (if she had any) standing upright. The presence before them was made intimidating by her new switch in perspective and the sheer aura emanated by the person.

Slowly, as one, the three children stare up to meet the individual in the eyes. Only for their eyes to fall upon an indigo helmet, wings-like appendages protruding from the front to distinguish him from other Integrity Knights.

Fanatio Synthesis Two.

"Is there any issue with that, boy?" He asked, voice clipped.

Neither of them spoke a word in response to the knight's question, all petrified in their spot. Selena could not begrudge them for that. This one's presence felt so powerful that even she felt lightheaded simply being here.

"I…" What? Kirito was trying to talk back?! "Who are they? Who went missing?"

"What need do you have to know? There is nothing that you can do—"

"I have the right to know because we're all part of Rulid!" He yelled back. Eugeo and Hotaru stared at him in horror, but he continued on. "They're important to us, so we have the right to know! And what do you mean I can't do anything? I'm obviously going to try and help find them!"

"The sentiment is appreciated, but your effort is likely going to get in the way of everyone else's," he easily rebuked. "Besides, had the two of you not been missing just moments ago? Your irresponsibility had caused much stress for your family, and now you intend to stick your noses in another matter without seeing them first? Your lack of care knows no bounds."

Gh… This one truly knows how to sting with his words. Even Selena, proud of her heritage as a dragon and her duty as a protector of this wonderful realm, couldn't help but feel insignificant in the face of this cold knight.

"…I still have to try."

"Hmm?"

An axe lifted itself towards the knight's head. "Kirito!" Eugeo yelled, trying to reach at his arm to lower the weapon, but he refused to budge.

"My friend was arrested in front of me for doing something wrong, and I'd actually tried to strike down the Integrity Knight," Selena would have gawked if she had a mouth. As it was, she settled for a strangled cry of shock. He'd attempted to strike at an Integrity Knight?! "It's suicidal, isn't it? But I don't regret it, because at least I did something. I can't do nothing now, either. Not when I know that a lot of people might not make it back home, and this time not because it's their fault or whatever—"

"—So I beg of you, Fanatio. Tell me who went missing. You can't stop me from trying to rescue them even if you don't, because they're a part of Rulid. I am too. And that means they're important to me, so of course I'm going to try and save them. You can't change my mind on that."

Beside him, the other two boys were caught between trying to pull him away and putting themselves between him and the knight, attempting to calm down the knight before someone does something that everyone would regret.

Eventually, Fanatio speaks back… "Ho? Rather brazen of you to make a request while aiming your weapon at someone, don't you think?" And is that amusement in his voice?

"You wouldn't take me seriously otherwise," Kirito replied, tone levelled. "I'm stupid, reckless, and a lot more things. But I'll never be a coward. Not if it means me doing nothing means someone else will have to get hurt in response."

"…Hmph. Rather bold words coming from someone who knows very little of what he speaks, but very well," he isn't upset? How… "Five children in total have gone missing. Three of them are from the orphanage while two more are related to this boy over here."

Ice cold clutches Eugeo's heart at the knight's words, his green eyes slowly growing wide. "You don't mean…"

"Your brothers, Eugene and Euden, went missing around the ninth hour. Prior to that, Raiza, Yuka and Casey were absent from the church between the eighth and ninth hour."

"Seriously..?" The disbelief in his tone slowly morphed into horror, his jaw clenched tight. "Shit..! And no one saw where they went?"

"As far as I am aware, no. There had been no eye witnesses in any of the incidents. I was only notified by Sister Azalia and Miss Sulinea a few moments ago. The chief called for a search-and-rescue, and has insisted that all children return to their homes for their own protection."

"No way… How could they even—" Kirito falls silent, some sort of thought passing through his mind before he promptly grabs Eugeo's hand, dragging his surprised friend in another direction. "Sir Fanatio, please keep looking for them! Eugeo and I will do what we can to help, so do your best!"

Their short trip took them to the church, which she's aware also acts as an orphanage for children who'd either lost their parents or their memories. They don't enter inside, however, opting instead to go behind it; a hatchet was buried in a log stacked up on top of each other to one side, and a stone well sat in the centre, a wooden bucket and a basin provided. No one was out here at the time, which gave them the entire place to themselves.

"Kirito, what's wrong?" Eugeo finally asked once they reached here. "What's wrong? Why did you…"

"Selena," she perked up at the mention of her name. Kirito had a look of grim focus on his face. "I know we just got back and all, but can you help us now? Tracking down this monster, I mean. We don't have much time."

The insistence in his voice leaves her feeling uneasy, a faint idea coming to mind upon seeing his reaction to Fanatio's words. 'You have a feeling that this supposed monster is the one behind these sudden disappearances? '

"I could be wrong, but at the same time, there's no way I could immediately discount the possibility," he said, crossing his arms, meeting Eugeo's gaze with his own. "It hadn't made a move since it first arrived here, so we'd all felt safe with the idea that maybe it'd just stay and do nothing," he let out an angry sound. "As if. Sooner or later, it would have made its move. Seems like it's decided now is right about it."

"And if it did kidnap all these children…" She sensed the dismay in his heart grow, fear for his brothers' safety wholly on display. His hands were balled tight to the point that his knuckles whitened. "No…"

"Don't," they turned to look once more at Kirito. "Things are bad now, but don't assume the worst. There's still time to save the children and your brothers. We won't stand here and do nothing," his firm words had the effect he'd sought, helping Eugeo to regain his composure and clear his mind. "So our best bet now is try and find this thing. If it did take everyone, then the faster we find this thing, the faster we find them."

Hmm… It would be hard-pressed to imagine a monster intelligent enough to have somehow abducted children without anyone noticing. And chances of them retrieving the children alive seems somewhat improbable, much to her dismay.

Even so, she recognizes the state of chaos that the village has been put into. Whatever this creature is, to have successfully avoided the Axiom Church's eye all this while makes it far more dangerous than she had initially expected. Allowing it to continue roaming these lands is simply out of the question now.

After all, is she not a Cardinal Dragon of the Human Empire? She, whose duty is to protect the people of the north?

' Very well then. Though I didn't exactly expect to begin immediately after we'd return, it is of no matter. In fact, we may as well rid ourselves of this nuisance earlier, ' she focused on the two children before her, their spirits roaring. ' You truly intend to fight this thing, do you not? '

"Of course," the lack of hesitation in his answer was one that she couldn't help but respect. "I fought goblins and a dragon. What's one more?"

' Hah… Well put! If this creature intends to break your village, then we shall stop it before it can sink its fangs even further. Let us begin! '

Author's Notes:

Man. Don't you love it when the wiki gives you the details you need about things most people probably don't care about? Like the size of the Gigas Cedar?

A little odd that it's 70m in height and 4m in diameter. The anime manages to make it look like a freaking titan (and it probably is. I'm not that good at guessing sizes, honestly). From what I know, the tallest tree that exists IRL is called 'Hyperion', with a height of 115 metres. Almost twice the height of the Gigas Cedar, and it's taller than the Statue of Liberty.

Also, the plot is getting rushed a little here, I'll admit. But it'll be explained to some extent later on, so it should be fine.