When the pair exited through the fissure of the mountain, the forest was much quieter now, and the sunlight poured through the tall trees above once more. Both gave a stretch and sighed, leaving behind the wonderous cavern and the mana stream for the village that wasn't far from the trail now.
"Ready to finally find civilization again?" Izuku asked as he hopped down onto the dirt road, waiting for the brunette.
"You bet I am!" Already she was excited and had her smile back on her face, hopping down the same way as she now stood back by his side with her arms around her back. "I been looking forward to seeing how the kingdom looks, will be my first time too!" Her arms go in the air excitingly. "Say, if your training to be a knight, would that mean you have to get to the caste to be one officially?" The girl now asks as she wondered how that would work here, since in the superhuman world they have to go to school to be official hero's.
"Well, we still have nearly half a day travel to the kingdom; as for how to become a knight... that's a different profession. See, All Might became a paladin because that's the final ranking for an adventurer, the reason they even exist is to handle external threats that the royal guard can't less the kingdom itself becomes exposed to any enemies. So any adventurers that reach the rank of paladin are considered the finest warriors on the continent by all kingdoms, and can be given special privileges that normal ranks can't,"
"Huh, interesting…" she nodded along as she listened and understood the rule better, usually in the stories she read at home that knights go into training at the castle. A bit surprised it's more different here. "Sounds hard but fun at the same time, I mean who doesn't like to travel, see new places and meet new people along the way?"
"Exactly!" He beamed, then cleared his throat as they continued their walk as the road sloped toward the floor of the valley again. "Normally, adventurers take on requests at what we'd call a Pathfinder; anything from slaying monsters, helping people across the country, some are long requests, some may take a day, it's always something different; oh, the rank system is pretty easy too; I'm bronze rank-" He pulled out the dog-tag again. "-then it'll be copper, iron, silver, gold, obsidian, platinum, amethyst, ruby, sapphire, diamond, and finally adamantine and Paladin... yeah, that's a lot, sorry..."
"That's so cool!" The girl beamed, her eyes sparkling in amazement what this Izuku explained. "Hearing all that is so interesting, your knowledge about all this is so impressive. That kind of big brain you have I can see you being a top adventure in no time!" Ciana expressed confidently, eyes closed and head tilted to look cute when saying all that.
His smile warmed up a bit, feeling far more confident again. "I-I hope so - right, then let's get to the kingdom!" He marched onward... or until his foot caught itself on a rock. "Oh no... - ow, ow, ow, ow!"
And soon Izuku went tumbling forward down the road, grunting and groaning all the way to the bottom, landing on his stomach as his supplies went everywhere. "...ow..." He moaned into the dirt, raising his head a bit. "I think I hit... everything on the way down..."
The girl gasped the moment he started to roll down. "Izuku!" The girl shouted in worry, quickly running down to make sure he's okay. Once she reached him she bend down and placed her hand on his shoulder in worry if he was hurt. "A-are you okay? That was quite a fall…" she took noticed he was dirty from the trip, her brows narrowing at this if he was injured further.
"Aside from what very little pride I had left being shattered... okay," He groaned.
"Excuse me, are you in need of assistance? That was quite the fall," A new voice spoke up further ahead, and it was coming closer, metal buckling against metal as Izuku raised his head to see... two other people on the road. The one marching at a shocking pace was a young man with dark blue hair and glasses in a suit of silver armour.
"Are you okay?" The other was a girl with short brown hair that curled with dark brown eyes. She had the fitting aesthetic of a witch, in a cloth outfit of light red and cream, clutching a wooden staff with a ruby wedged into the top, and one red glove on her right hand, the other bare.
Lifting her gaze up towards the two… her eyes widen in shock as she was taken back to see Iida and Uraraka?! Ciana had to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things, no… it's really them, and Iidas a knight and Uraraka is a wizard? Or witch? Whichever one she is, Ciana was so stunned seeing their counterparts.
"Uh… I-I think we're okay, thank you for your concern!" Though his stuff was scattered so she would need to help pick it up, Ciana eyes went back to Izuku recalling he still tripped. "Are you feeling okay Izuku? You didn't hit anything, did you?" Ciana hoped Izuku didn't sprain himself anywhere.
"I hit everything I think, but nothing feels broken," He just felt sore all over now, cracking his neck with a sigh before looking to the new arrivals. "I'm alright, b-but thank you for your concern,"
"Hm, here, I gotcha," 'Uraraka' then smacked the bottom of her staff off the ground, causing several small seals like Ciana's own magic spell to appear around the scattered supplies. The brunette winced a bit but spoke crystal clear. "Levitate,"
All objects rose from the ground, floating forward and back into Izuku's backpack as he stumbled to balance himself out, a bit surprised by the magic as the girl's ruby stopped glowing, and she sighed with relief. "Sorry about using my magic there, but I thought you could use the hand... or lack there of, hehe," She scratched her cheek sheepishly.
"Well, if you are feeling okay, allow me to introduce us - I am Tenya Iida, and my companion here is the Witch known as Ochaco Uraraka, a pleasure," He bowed his head sharply at the two.
"U-um, likewise, I-I'm Izuku Midoriya, and thank you, O-Ochaco," Izuku nodded to the witch who smiled and rubbed her bicep.
"Think nothing of it!"
Ciana was very wowed by the magic Uraraka did, it wasn't too much of a surprise since the Uraraka she knew also has the power to levitate objects… it's amazing! Now facing her two counterpart friends, of course already knowing their names… though kinda surprised they are still Japanese here, the girl smiled kindly and waved. "I'm Ciana Finley, it's a pleasure to meet you both!"
The girl smiled more, just seeing these two already cause her to miss her friends further… wondering if Uraraka is taking care of Izuku in her absence. "Your magic you just displayed is very amazing, are you both heading towards the kingdom ahead of us as well?"
"Yes, for you see, I am here to aid Ochaco on her quest to restore her magic," Iida explained, softening his expression as Uraraka toyed with her staff a little. "While she has minor levitation and a few other spells more than suited for the role of a witch-"
"I... have lost most of my magic power - a curse spell known as 'Decay', as a result my magic is... weak, and if I do end up casting something big it just... goes horribly wrong," She deflated, forcing a small smile as she waved her hand. "Ah, sorry, I have this habit of just blurting out my thoughts, b-but it's not so bad, Tenya here's been a big help!"
"I... am happy to hear you say as much," Iida smiled back, then chopped his hand at Ciana and Izuku. "You both say you are heading for the capital? If you would like, we would be happy to travel alongside you in the meantime,"
"Y-you sure?" Izuku asked, looking to Ciana for her opinion.
Ciana eagerly nodded, already she trusted these two greatly. Having no signs of doubt or hesitation. "Of course that sounds great! The more the merrier." The girl responds happily, but before they get moving Ciana faced Izuku again in concern, seeing his face was a bit scratched up. "Izuku are you positive your okay? Your obviously scratched up a bit…" Cianas brows narrowed, his well-being has always been her top priority.
He raised a thumb, "I'm alright, really," Looking to the others, he smiled brightly. "We should keep moving,"
"Very well, if you are able to walk fine, then let us make haste for the hamlet of Hunter's Seclude, it is not far from here," Iida announced, a name finally put to the village.
"Now so fast…" she suddenly said with her hand went onto the green haired boys shoulder to stop him. "You always pull through Izuku but someone's gotta look out for you to make sure you don't overdue it…" the girl smiled playfully, her hand now glowing as Ciana begin to recover some of Izukus stamina in a warm tingly sensation to help. Times like this she kiss his cheek but people are watching and can't risk any misunderstandings… thinking she can help him further once they find a place to rest up.
She felt his muscles relax as he gave a genuine smile. "Thank you, Ciana,"
"Wow, you're a caster too!" Uraraka bounced over to her as she admired her golden hands. "Light magic... no, a variant of it, akin to healing magic done by warlocks... seems to rejuvenate its target as well so perhaps an enhancement type? Oh, uh, sorry, magic nerd and all that, heh," She smiled sheepishly, playing with the cowl of her hat.
"Well sorta…" she smiled sheepishly, hand on her neck as she felt awkward about her dragon abilities. Though still wondered how dragons have magical recovering abilities when their supposed to be fire breathers. "My magic is more of a curse then a magical ability… it does come in handy at times though."
Iida in the hero world knew about her dragon appearance… but would these two think of her differently if they saw her change? In stories people would cower in fear of dragons and want to slay them…
"You were cursed...? I'm so sorry," Uraraka frowned a bit, then patted Ciana's shoulders. "Well, for what it's worth, your magic, curse, or whatever you want to call it, it's pretty helpful."
"I have never met a person who has been cursed, normally, they'd be far less trusting of others due to it, and yet I find you have found kinship with Izuku here," Iida placed a hand on his heart. "Nevertheless, as a son of the Iida family, I have no ill remarks toward you, Miss."
She was a bit surprised by this, just like the friends she knew their hearts are the same… making her feel happy and warm inside once again. "Thank you so much you two… I truly appreciate you saying so." Ciana smiled more as bright as her quirk magic. "Though my curse may look pretty in some angles, it can be pretty scary too what it makes me look like…"
She pressed her fingers together when saying this, now walking along with the two new friends in the group. Once again this Izuku clearly would be fine without her… at least now she won't have much to worry about if she ever turns back to the superhuman world.
"Oooh, so it's a mutation type curse, gotcha, I'll keep an eye out then," Uraraka replied calmly.
"I-I've been trying to find a solution for Ciana to control it, so far, she has ample control over the transformation, it's just the instincts that are the problem," Izuku explained, hopefully it was okay for him to do so for her. "But it's a long process,"
"Curses are intended to be irreversible, but that sometimes may not be the case, well, I wish you both luck in that endeavor," Iida nodded in agreement as he stared at his map. "Much like yourself, Izuku, we are adventurers, so that we may trace leads to find solutions for Ochaco's magic affliction,"
"To no success so far," Uraraka bemoaned with a wave of her hand.
"I wouldn't think so, I mean what you displayed with your magic sure shows some useful improvement to it. Levitating can be used for other interesting ways besides picking up stuff." Remembering Uraraka awesome meteor shower attack… the girl has some pretty awesome ways to use her powers.
"I actually just started out enhancing stamina before finding out I can use it for more different ways to help, slow process… but hopefully I'll find a way to stay in control now that it evolved." Ciana still wished she stuck to glowing…
"Thanks..." Uraraka smiled back, squeezing her staff tighter.
"I am certain you'll find a way," Iida encouraged, lowering his map. "Now, it appears our destination is within sight!"
True to his word, the hamlet of the Hunter's Seclude was marked by a small mossy cobblestone wall with an archway for them to pass under. The roads turned to cobbled brick as well, and streets held braziers for the night. People walked the streets, chatting, laughing, or entering certain buildings that dotted the winding paths around a large fountain two houses away. Banners suspended themselves between the buildings with upper floors jutting out, some with supports that people used to set up small vendors with tarps.
"So this is the Hunter's Seclude..." Izuku awed.
"Yes, while small, it is renown for its popularity of huntsmen that come to the Silver Grove, this is a common rest stop at a local tavern-inn," Iida pointed out for them both while Uraraka nervously kept close to their group, seemingly nervous with the crowds.
"Not used to so many people..." She murmured, tucking her cowl down a bit.
Ciana was definitely wowed and intrigued entering a real medieval village, the people and the sights all around her are just so fascinating, the people even looked more normal rather than having quirky traits. Giggling at the thought, now stopping what Iida calls a tavern. Sounds like a great place for adventures to stop and rest.
"Huh, after all the walking we been doing it sounds good to settle down a bit." She smiled, though hoped it wasn't those kinds of places people get drunk and brawl… Ciana rather not touch anything she's under age to drink, don't they call it rum here or something…?
Off to the north west of the fountain, and given how small the hamlet was, the largest building caught their eyes. It had a steep navy blue tiled roof and had three floors, shaped like an 'L'. The entrance held a sign above it, 'Hunter's Lodge' to keep it simple with the picture of a bow and arrow. The ground floor was up a small flight of stairs with walls made of grey brick with an upper floor painted white. Several windows glowed from light with a sound of chatter and noise inside.
"Agreed, myself and Ochaco had been walking since the early hours ourselves," Iida replied as he led the way. "While we may find many colourful people within, these places double as inns so for normal circumstances, the chaos is mostly kept vocal... I hope," He adjusted his glasses while approaching the door with the others behind him.
"Great... more people," Uraraka gulped.
"Agreed," Izuku tensed up a little. "I guess we stay for a bit, no harm in that..."
"It's not too scary since we're here all together, it be a lot more nerve wrecking coming to places like this alone." She eyed her friends with a encouraging smile, looking around as they walked in. Definitely looked like a bar and a restaurant at the same time… ether way it's really cool looking place. "I could use a proper meal… though there's no way I'm touching any of that stuff those guys are drinking over there…"
Ciana jabbed her thumb over to the counter with a funny smile, noticing two guys laughing and drinking mugs of what she thinks is alcohol… toasting their glasses and probably dizzy, who knows how much they been sipping that stuff.
"Hrm, yes, let's find a table," Iida agreed.
Thankfully, with it still early in the morning, only a quarter of the tavern was full, so they found a booth next to a window as they all took a look at the menu. All the options looked nice and rustic too. "Never ate at a tavern before, and this is my first time in... normal houses," Izuku gave a funny look as he sketched the interior a little in his journal.
"What was your hometown like?" Uraraka asked as she took off her hat.
"Oh, um, w-we lived in a forest and in these houses built to resemble giant mushrooms, it was pretty strange compared to the r-rest of the world so far," He answered anxiously.
"Fascinating, though that's to be expected from a small village far from the capital," Iida replied.
"A mushroom shaped house? That's new…" She giggled, plopping her elbows on the table as she eyed Izuku sketching in his journal, smiling and blushing a bit how cute he looked. Though she thought elves or fairies lived in mushroom houses… funny it's different for this one. "My hometown is pretty rough, just… small villages with people that don't have much money to live in better environments…"
She words it that way in language they would understand. "Sometimes easy to come across bandits that take advantage of my people… nothing much to say about it." She shrugs.
"That sounds horrible, is that... how you got cursed?" Uraraka asked pensively.
"It's alright if you don't want to tell us though..." Izuku knew much about her power, but not in how it came to be, he never asked, seeing how distraught it makes her.
"Well you could say that…" it sure was scary for her at first, one hand laid down on the table while the other still held her face. "I was kidnapped when I was just getting home from school… a sorcerer cursed me with a scary ability he wanted to use me for some scary ritual… I managed to escape thanks to a friend, but now I'm kinda being hunted…" she frowned, wondering if they realized she's gone by now.
"But I managed to make a getaway to make sure they don't find me now, so now I'm here with Izuku hoping to find someway for me to control my curse better." She glanced over to him and smiled, no matter where she goes, he's always there for her…
"That's really nice, at least now you're not alone," Uraraka smiled supportively.
"I agree, though, did this villain have a name?" Iida inquired, rubbing his chin.
"Actually... you never did tell me who did this to you, only why," Izuku added as well, curious as he looked away from his sketchwork.
"He's kinda a secret dark sorcerer… but Meru Zena is his name." The girl revealed, though had no idea who the third person was. "He's some kind of magical dragon shifter… pretty dark in character and quite scary…"
"So he cursed you with his own power?" Izuku blinked, surprised by that fact.
"...creepy," Uraraka shivered a bit.
"No kidding…" she nodded in agreement, who knows what the guys up to now. "I thought what I had was cool and do some good with it…" now looking to her hand. "But the change had me scared… wondering if I'll one day lose my humanity, it's hard keeping myself together when I'm in my other form… if anyone else saw the other side of me they probably freak out…"
"Well, how many have seen this other form?" Uraraka inquired. "What you're describing sounds like a shifter curse, though usually mistaken as myth, there are recorded cases of it, and if this Meru Zena guy has something similar and gave it to you, then you're a dragon shifter..." Then she paused before cupping her cheeks with a gasp. "Oh My Gods~! You're a dragon shifter, I've never met one before!" She whispered her sheer excitement.
Ciana sunk in her seat a bit with her head down, of course they would think it's cool but they don't know what it's like… shaking her head at this. "I am but it's not who I really am…" the girl frowned. "Every time I seen the change I end up freaking out, and it makes me behave differently than how I normally act. I… "now fiddling with her fingers. "I-I'm afraid my aggressive nature might hurt or kill people… and I hate when I'm not myself…"
Uraraka looked at her staff, toying with it again anxiously. "...I was really good with magic, I could've been an amazing adventurer, helping people and learning every magic... then I ended up losing nearly all of it, now I feel... much less helpful - and no, I get it, I can help people still - but..." She squeezed her staff tighter. "I lost a part of me... my magic was tampered with... I may not have the same problems as you, but I get it, hating when your body's forced against you,"
"Ochaco..." Iida frowned with worry for her, now looking down at his helmet set on the table. "I apologize if we've upset you, Ciana, what you face must be hard,"
"It's okay, I actually feel more better talking about it." She smiled, then eyed her gravity friend in concern. "I can understand how you feel… but having magic shouldn't be the main reason your amazing, having the heart and inner strength to do without it can still make you just as special. I actually wasn't born with magic at first, but I never needed it to fight and help those in need."
She smiled a bit more. "Izuku here is just starting out as an adventure and he's a already an amazing warrior and knows so much I wouldn't even know, just the way he fights and so smart I find him pretty impressive and amazing even without magic."
"Yeah, I get that, but... this is me," Uraraka tapped her chest. "Magic is what I am, it's my passion, my life, I... don't know what else I could ever be without it, which is why I want it back, to find a way to restore it with what I can do," Her expression was dead set on that fact.
"Then you're already a strong witch, if you're that determined, then when it is restored, you'll be better than you were before," Izuku stated firmly, lifting the brunette's morale a bit.
"Thanks guys..."
"Exactly! Since you're here and not giving up, that's proof you're strong." The girl smiled more towards her witch friend, though eventually she got up. "I'll be right back, I got to powder my nose if you catch my drift…" Since they left the cave Ciana was hoping to reach the village to find someplace to properly go… peeing in the woods was not an option for her.
Now walking off to find a bathroom, pausing while looking around. "Wait… do they even have flush toilets in the fantasy world…? Please don't tell me I have to rely on a bucket…" it be worse if she has to go outside and go in an alley… right when Ciana was going to ask the bartender, suddenly she was grabbed by the hand from a nearby guy sitting at a table with a few guys with swords and bows for weapons.
"Hey there cutie… you here all by yourself…?" The guy asked, giving her a seductive smirk, his other hand had a mug in hand. The guys looked to be 17 to 18 and looked like drunk stuck up adventures, Ciana was disgusted by this as she tried to pull her hand back.
"Uh no, I'm not… mind letting go?" Ciana tried to politely ask but gave off an annoyed look, that only seemed to draw his attention more as he kept his hold on her arm.
"Doesn't look like anyones with you, you got a guy waiting for ya?"
"Well, no… I-I…" She looked down sadly for a moment but quickly remembered she's being snagged. "Wait! T-that doesn't matter! Just let me-" the girl yelped as she was now on the guys lap, the other teens whistled towards their friend who snagged a pretty girl, which she did not like how they were behaving as Ciana tried to struggle off. "Step off you creep!"
"Aw come on sweetie, don't be like that. I promise we can show you a good time…" He smirked, holding her chin up with his free hand. "You know, most girls fall on their knees for me. Consider yourself lucky I caught my eye on you…" The guy was blond with red eyes and kinda dressed as a bad boy, he's also a looker but Ciana did not find his behavior attractive.
He leaned forward to her face, like he was attempting to kiss her while keeping his other hand on her shoulder to keep her in place. Which just disgusted her further as Ciana tried to put her hands on his chest to push him away. "I'm not interested! Take your hands off me!"
"She's a feisty one!" One of the guys commented with an amused chuckle, finding her behavior really cute.
This only had the girl groan in frustration, now getting angry. "I said let go!" Suddenly Ciana slapped the guy who held her and tried to kiss her… leaving a red handprint on his face, the blond guy friends were silent now in surprise by the display.
The blond boy froze in shock for a few seconds, before becoming angry looking now as he glared down at the girl. "You sure got a lot of nerve… and a sharp tongue, playing hard to get I see…?" He smirked now, frightening the girl a little as she tried to get up but now he grabbed her arm. "Clearly a pretty little thing like you don't know her manners, you're quite interesting. I like that…"
Ciana did not like where this was heading, kicking her legs as she tried to struggle more.
"Hey!" Before anything could escalate, the group was intercepted by Izuku who moved and grabbed the man's wrist tightly. The guy was your standard pretty boy by Izuku's estimates. Blonde hair, vicious red eyes, and matching brown and red cloth armour with leather hide say for two gauntlets tinted light red with a short sword on his left hip. Everything about him made Izuku's body burn with disgust. "Let her go - she said she wasn't interested," Not an ounce of fear or hesitation fell from Izuku's expression or tone.
"Tch, back off, brat," The man grunted, shoving Izuku into the side of a table as his party laughed a bit, the blonde cracking his knuckles. "You can have your turn when we're done, step back in line."
"You disgusting criminals, have you no shame!?" Iida, now wearing his helmet, placed his hand against his own sword. "To take advantage of an innocent girl..."
"Back off already!" Uraraka grunted too, drawing a slow circle to form a seal behind her back.
"Look there, boss, another cutie, this one's a brunette too!" One of the guys whistled.
"Really now, think you got balls kid?" The blonde then drew his sword faster than Izuku could his, finding the edge held at his throat as the whole tavern went dead silent. "You ain't even past bronze yet!?" He laughed, using the edge of his sword to toy with Izuku's dogtag as he fiddled with his shirt, revealing his own... a Gold dogtag. "Didn't anyone tell ya to respect your superiors, brat?"
"...I don't care what you are... or who you think you are..." Izuku raised his head, even as his hands trembled against the table, he glowered back at the man that stood a head taller than him. "...but someone like you has no right to call themselves an adventurer! Tenya's right, you are a criminal..."
Ciana couldn't agree more, but now that his hands were off the girl Ciana quickly stepped in to grab at his arm to stop him. "Let him go! Right now!" Cianas eyes shown clear anger in them, seeing a blade up to Izukus throat was enough for her to take action. "I swear if you press that weapon any further your going to regret even thinking about harming him!"
The fear of losing a loved one has always been there, Ciana tighter her grip on the jerks arm to try and pull him back more.
"We'll deal with you after, cutie!" The blonde yelled, shoving her hard enough to stumble back into Uraraka, causing her spell to fizzle out.
"Leave. Her. Alone." Izuku tried to move again but felt the razor edge of the man's blade groove against his skin, causing his face to flinch as it broke out in a cold sweat.
"You don't get it, brat; without us, this backwater town's got no protection from outside threats; so what's wrong with a little... compensation," He shrugged, casually blowing off the implications of what he was about to do.
"You monster!" Iida then drew his sword, but so did the three sitting behind the blonde. One with a dagger, another with a mace, and the third holding a kite shield and hammer.
"Drop the knight act, kid, with that shiny metal suit you're about as fresh as they come, you couldn't even think about attacking another person, can you?" The Gold adventurer sneered, seeing Iida's handle on his blade quake a bit.
Ciana made sure to check Uraraka if she was okay before drawing her own sword out towards the blond stuck up jock, Ciana wasn't afraid of him to fight back even with a weapon. "Your no better drawing your own weapon towards those who actually want to help people!" Ciana stood her ground, narrowing her eyes.
"Just because you have a shiny gold tag, doesn't make you all that special. I mean look at the commotion your causing around you? If you really want make a good impression I suggest you call off your friends and put your weapon down if you know what's good for you!" Even if she wasn't strong enough to handle him, Ciana wouldn't let her friends fight this battle alone.
"Don't move," Izuku rasped, holding his hand up slightly to stop her. He could figure a way out of this... somehow, he just needed a second to think.
"Better listen, cutie, else I might have to report an 'accident' with a nobody adventurer," The man sneered. "Now, be a good little girl and come over here," He taunted her with his finger.
"Ciana, don't..." Uraraka whispered in her ear. She too didn't know what to do in this case, Izuku's neck was a hair away from being torn open and there were three others watching them.
Ciana glared and groaned at the guy, but then suddenly straightened up with a smirk on her face. "Alright, you win… have it your way." The blond seemed pleased by this, Ciana put her weapon away as she went to approach like she surrendered. He had his arm arm around her again but Ciana suddenly smirked wider when she took hold of his arm…
Remembering her training with Bakugo, Ciana kicked her knee in a place no guy likes to be kicked… then dragged his arm behind roughly to draw a groan out of the blond. Now behind him holding his arm while he was now down to stop him from trying anything. "Had enough now?" Ciana had a proud smile on her face, tugging the blonds arm enough to basically try to get him to yield.
"Alright then..." He grunted, then to Ciana's surprised yelp, she felt something akin to a blast of air striking her stomach, causing her back to slam into the ceiling before she crashed to the ground. "Hah, alright, anyone want to try something now?" He dared as he placed his foot on Ciana's back to hold her down.
Izuku moved but then had the man's palm facing him, and a small mint green glyph appearing to glare in his face. Everyone felt their throats clench as the adventurer laughed to himself. "Points for the surprise attack, but here's mine - this is called 'Force', compressed air shot like a cannon, the one I used is good for getting rid of small pests. But if I crank my magic output high enough, who knows how much damage I could do at point blank range?" His sickened smile grew, and Izuku's face paled further. He was trapped!
"You know-" Just as the glyph grew brighter against Izuku's skin, the seal suddenly cancelled out as a hand gripped the man's wrist like a vice, lifting it away with ease. "-when I came to this Eve-awful realm, I'd never suspect I'd run into low-bearing trash with absolutely nothing worth living for - seems I lose another bet... lucky me," The person deadpanned.
Izuku and Ciana looked both relieved and flabbergasted to see the arm held back by... Zorah? The silverette looked bored with his own eye visible, but that ember orb was like a scorching pit as it passed over the Gold adventurer and his group. "I mean, threatening a children, then two with sexual assault? Tch-tch-tch, really not selling yourself well here," He faked his sorrow, then smiled wide enough to show the smugness in his expression. "But I'm reasonable, I'm willing to let all you lowlife scumbags go free with a simple request!"
"Z-Zorah?" Izuku coughed, rubbing his throat before the blonde stepped back off Ciana, his casting hand and sword raised once more.
"Who the hell are you!? Don't you know-" The blonde then heard a long-winded yawn escape Zorah, irritating him further.
"Uwah, sorry... getting from the coast to this village is a stretch, I'm tired," Zorah smacked his lips, giving offering Ciana a hand. "Nice handling yourself, Traveller, but I got this,"
Ciana smiled thankfully at the guy, accepting his hand as she now stood up. "Thanks a lot for the aid Zorah!" She smiled more toward him but then whipped her head towards Izuku in worry. "Izuku!" Now rushing to his side in front, place her hand on his cheek with concerning eyes.
"Are you alright? That jerk didn't jab you anywhere did he?" Ciana already started to look him over, afraid he was hurt further.
"I-I'm alright..." Then his smile fell again as they joined the tension in the tavern towards the 'adventurers' and Zorah. "...it's Zorah I'm now worried about."
"Is he... gonna be okay?" Uraraka bit her lip a little.
"We should back him up," Iida suggested, or until Zorah chuckled.
"Ah, it's cute you want to help, but man have I got issues to work out..." Zorah cracked his neck a little. "Alright, here are my terms; get on your hands and knees, grovel like the worms you are, apologize to these guys, and I'll only ruin your reputation for the rest of your lives. But hey! You get to live... unfortunately," Zorah tapped his hands together, then waved them. "Sound fair? Yes? No?"
"Back off, bastard - ack!" The blonde's ally, the one with the mace, jumped forward swinging before their leader could say otherwise.
It all happened so fast, but a second flew by, and now the man's head was furrowly planted in the floor under Zorah's boot, snapping a few floor boards in the process as teeth scattered across the ground. "Hm, guess that's... a 'no'," Zorah almost sounded thrilled they refused as he looked to the trio still standing, taunting them with his hand. "My offer stands, worms, take your time,"
The blonde stood back but released his Force spell only for Zorah to effortlessly backhand it into the nearest wall as a few present jumped from the blast. The dagger man dove forward, taking a slash at Zorah who smacked his right cheek with his sheathed sword, throwing the thief across the tavern before he picked up a chair to block the shield and hammer user, shoving forward to pin the man's head to the ground by the legs as Zorah sat on the chair to avoid the blonde's sword before rolling off it to kick the chair up to block the blonde's line of sight.
Zorah purposely landed on the first downed man, kicking back to strike the dagger man's stomach. Then Zorah jumped over another Force and disappeared into the ceiling's shadow, his legs appearing behind the blonde to loop his feet under the man's armpits, pulling him up to slam the blonde's head into the ceiling. Diving down, Zorah guarded Iida from the dagger user with his scabbard, twisting it to pin the thief's wrist against a support beam.
The thief took a jab at Zorah only to punch the pillar with a cry. Zorah spun under his second swing, grabbing the crown of the thief's head to slam his face into the pillar, pulling his hair to throw him into the shield and hammer man. He shoved his ally aside, swinging his hammer to pummel Zorah's skull only for the silverette to smirk and catch the hammer with ease, barely breaking a sweat. "Ten Tons of Fun, best lay off the donuts for a bit, no?"
Dragging the man forward, he pressed his palm to the larger man's face, then promptly twisted and spun the larger man over his head, causing him to land on the first downed man with a wheezing groan. Now, only the blonde remained. His face was scrunched up with fury, his sword trembling in his hold. "What the hell are you!? You're not an adventurer! Hell, you aren't anybody!"
"You're right, I am nobody," Zorah strode toward the shaken adventurer slowly, his eye burning with spite. "If I wasn't stuck here I'd have burned half this damn world to the ground, why should I care what happens to a forgettable world like this?" He meant every word, and the blonde started to sweat further. "But unlike a scumbag like you, I value every life I come across; even if only for a second, that innocent soul is worth more than you could ever amount to - you will spend the rest of your life rotting in a cell, and if I ever caught a word of you hurting a single person I'd travel the whole multiverse to see you burn..."
The man's sword clattered to the ground, Zorah's gaze was a burning recollection of fury, like staring into the pits of hell as he grabbed the man's throat, drawing him closer. "Now get out," With a single bend of his arm, Zorah threw the man so hard his body rag dolled out the nearest window and onto the streets outside, covered in glass. Taking a breath, Zorah's lazy smile returned. "Man that was fun - hey, barkeep, mind getting me a drink?"
"Oh-oh, and me~!" Echo popped out of Zorah's back with a cheery wave before her Host grabbed her face.
"Why you? I did all the work this time," He argued.
"Uh-Uh, I shadow ported us all the way from the coast!" Echo protested, and Zorah let her face go.
"Make that two," He held up two fingers.
Watching the fight in action was incredible but absolutely scary at the same time, but what matters is nobody's dead… after watching the fight end the girl sweat-dropped with a sheepish smile at their funny victory win. "Hope they don't go too crazy with those drinks…"
Ciana giggled, but still had her focus on Izuku. She had her hands on his shoulders to keep him steady, obviously very worried looking for her hero. "Izuku you were amazing out there, but you don't look good… I need to look you over so we should book a room already so I can heal you."
"Yes, I feel we may need to rest longer after that ordeal," Iida then placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "I apologize for not being much help, I... hesitated,"
"Same, I tried to cast a Force spell like that blonde jerk but my control was too wobbly, sorry," Uraraka slumped a bit.
"It's alright... I honestly didn't have much of a plan either, I just... moved," Izuku had to protect Ciana, not just because he wanted her to be stress free, but because he couldn't stand the idea of her being... used like that. "Thank you, all of you,"
"Eh, all in a day's work, Greenie," Zorah ruffled his and Ciana's hair. "Rest up, Echo and I can handle these extras, no issue - I swear, I leave for two days and already getting into trouble,"
"Nice seeing you guys again!" Echo waved happily as she kicked one of the guys in the face, hearing him groan in pain. "He's alive! ...unfortunately,"
While those present did applaud their efforts, Zorah didn't take in the praise and sat down at the bar to have his drink, raising the mug over to Izuku and Ciana with a wink, then turned away.
"I gotta admit, that sure was an interesting yet thrilling reunion." Ciana chuckled more, now helping Izuku up. Wanting to aid him as soon as possible, Ciana smiled warmly at her hero, he didn't hesitate to come to her rescue just like the other… his bold action made her feel so happy he's always looking out for her.
"We really appreciate the help you two, I'm just glad nether of you got seriously injured. Plus how you told the guy off Iida was quite admirable like a real knight would display." Ciana praised her friend, knowing he's a true hero. "Though do you think you guys can help me get a room and help Izuku there? I gotta make sure he doesn't push himself…" still having her arm around his shoulder, Ciana still cared greatly for her hero's wellbeing.
"Of course," Iida stepped to Izuku's otherside to help, even as he protest he could walk just find, say for his wobbly legs, guess his nerves were still shaken up by that.
"Hey, barkeep, mind giving them a room?" Zorah prodded his thumb back as he pushed a small sack of coin over but the man behind the counter shook his head, pushing it back before holding out a key for the teens. "Huh? Those guys must've been a pain in the ass..."
"I'll say, guys have some pretty awful souls," Echo stuck her tongue out. "I'd devour them, buuut... better to let them suffer in prison I guess,"
"Thank you very much, sir," Uraraka bowed her head to the barkeep as she took the key from him, the older man silently nodded to them.
"Those guys were so disgusting… hard to tell if it's from all that alcohol they drank that seeped into their brains." Ciana commented playfully, now with the help of both Uraraka and Iidas aid. Ciana brought Izuku to the room they booked… course there was one big bed which had Ciana blush incredibly red. "Course this had to be Echos doing…"
Ciana sweat dropped, she will have to fix that later if they have enough coins… now letting him go to let him sit on the edge of the bed. "Thanks a lot you two, sorry you got to be in the middle of that mess… but we greatly appreciate the backup."
"After what that creep and his guys tried to do, no problem," Uraraka replied, tucking her head on tighter. "But at least now they'll be locked up, doubt anyone would believe them either,"
"If you need anything, please come find us in the town, we'll be restocking our own supplies for the trip, prices in the capital can be a little steep," Iida explained, giving them a small wave at the door. "Rest well, Izuku, Ciana,"
"We'll be back in an hour or so," Uraraka quickly added.
"Sounds good, until then we should be back on our feet in no time." She smiled thankfully towards her friends, truly appreciating all they are doing for them.
Once the door was closed, Izuku let his smile fall, rubbing his neck again as it felt irritated from the blade. "I'm so sorry that happened to you..."
"Don't worry about it, it's you I'm the most concerned about." The girl eyes him worryingly, especially the way he was rubbing his neck. "Izuku is your neck hurting? Take off your shirt and vest so I can check you over properly." After tripping the the road and getting beat up by bullies… Ciana was worried he had a lot of injuries.
"I-I really am fine, just having a sword to your neck-" He stopped himself seeing her give a sharp look, much sharper than her dragon gaze. "...you win," Stripping off his tunic and shirt, even the plate metal for his arms and chest he hid, it now left him exposed, revealing the several bruises from his tumble, and in the light of a glowing crystal lamp, Ciana could see the skin around his throat was red.
"I knew it…" The girl sighed, as much as she finds his body attractive… Ciana was most concerned for Izukus wellbeing. "You should of said something… it's not good to leave yourself injured you know, especially if you end up giving yourself an infection…" Ciana touched the places Izuku was brushed, trying to see how bad he was hurting.
He stifled his complains, though blushed slightly from her prodding as she inspected him. "Y-you know how to a-apply medicine?"
"Course I do… Izuku I lived in a rough part of my hometown, not to mention I put up with the other you being reckless… I'm pretty sure I have enough knowledge when it comes to treating people." Ciana had her hand on her chin, debating on what to do. "Though I have another method that could help heal you faster, but… you might be uncomfortable at the idea…" Ciana blushed, but didn't think he go for the idea if he knew what she's talking about.
"I'm... assuming it's to do with your power? Like how you cleared my fatigue earlier?" Izuku answered, curious to what this method was, assuming she used it on her Partner.
"Yeah basically…" she rubs the back of her own neck awkwardly, already getting flustered. "I… can recover your stamina more when I apply contact with my lips like towards your cheek, but if I… um…" Ciana now looks down, pressing her fingers together. "I-if I kiss you on your mouth… I-I can heal you…"
"Ah... there it is," Always a catch. While yes, that was embarrassing, he smiled awkwardly. "I-I mean, it's to heal me s-so it's not like... the other times," Then he cleared his throat.
Ciana didn't think she will lose it, especially if this Izuku had no feelings for her and not in her dragon form. Looking up to him in a little surprise. "Your… okay with that? Are you sure?" She double checks to make sure he isn't forcing himself to bare with it.
That made him chuckle, but only once, "N-not to make things weirder... but this isn't t-the first time w-we've kissed... so no, I-I'm alright with that if you are,"
"Hehe… right, well… okay then." She smiled pretty shyly, her heart already racing as Ciana already goes to put her hand to his cheek. "Are you absolutely sure your okay with this?" She stayed where she is, making sure if he changes his mind or not.
"I... I am, if it'll help as you say," Izuku replied, though he silently screamed since he was shirtless... again. This seemed to be a reoccurring trend lately.
Ciana couldn't help but giggle at his bashfulness, smiling funny enough. "As long as you don't faint over this…" She couldn't help but tease, now beginning to lean her face closer towards his own. Her eyes closing hallways the closer she got, as soon as Ciana was inches to his lips… her eyes fully closed as she now makes contact with Izukus mouth, his body becoming warm and tingly as the healing processed started.
He kept his eyes open a little longer at the contact, raising an arm to see one small blemish shrink and fade into a healthy skin tone. Closing his eyes, he accepted the healing kiss, placing the hand on her shoulder. Despite where her power came from, it was certainly amazing to behold.
Ciana couldn't help but linger in the kiss a little longer due to how much her heart was racing from the contact… but eventually pulls away slightly, having a shy blush and smile on her face. "Um… y-you okay now?" After the kiss, Ciana's eyes glowed and twinkles but this time not in an alluring way.
He was a bit speechless at first, but eventually felt around his neck, then eyed the rest of his body to find no traces of injury, he even felt re-energized. "I feel... great! Hah, that really helped a lot, thank you,"
"N-no problem!" She smiled for him as her eyes still twinkled, though now feeling a little weak… at least it wasn't enough to faint or get sick again. "I'm happy I was able to help…" Ciana was kinda tired now, unconsciously her head leaned onto the boys shoulder.
Catching her shoulders, Izuku sighed. "You used too much mana, now it's your turn to rest," He advised, helping her lie down, or until an idea sparked to mind. "...the mana crystal, that's it, that's got more than enough mana in it for you to absorb back, enough to help you back on your feet,"
"N-no… y-you should keep them for real emergencies." Ciana didn't even fight the idea of laying down as her head hit the pillow while looking to Izuku with tired half lidded eyes. "I-I'll be fine… as long as your healed then that's what matters most to me." Ciana smiled weakly after saying that.
"I guess Ochaco was right, your magic's like a form of enhancement magic, but if you heal someone it drains you much faster than enhancing, guess that's something else to work on... eventually," Izuku replied before smiling. "You want me to get you something to eat? We didn't exactly get to order anything,"
"Might as well… and since Echo stuck us with a one bed bedroom you can change that if you want…" She chuckled, Ciana didn't think Izuku was comfortable sharing a room with her. But secretly she wouldn't have complained… "Not sure if this is something for me to improve on but I knew you object if I told you what it does to me…"
"Yeah, I would've," He smirked, rolling his eyes. "Now, rest, and... don't do something reckless," Passing on the joke, he made his way over to the door. "And... I don't mind the room, after everything... being around you isn't embarrassing, b-besides, only for a while until we're ready to move on to the capital,"
Ciana was surprised by this, blinking her eyes when hearing he is fine sharing a room with her. "A-are you sure? I-I wouldn't want to make this awkward for you…" Ciana was still worried if Izuku was nervous being around her after what her dragon side does to him, but as long as she stays human she should be fine.
"Of course - something Zorah said to me before we met... well, 'a person can be defined by their soul, there's no equal', he said his old master taught him that..." He flashed her a friendly smile. "He wasn't wrong, so I have no reason to feel afraid or awkward around you... well, aside from, that stuff, but that's not my point," Chuckling a bit, he gave a wave and left the room.
Ciana blushed after hearing more what Izuku told her, making the girl smile warmly at the direction he left. "The only thing about you that makes you different from the other is that your okay sharing a bed with a girl you just met…" Ciana chuckled to herself and kept smiling, the other Izuku couldn't even stand the idea of staying over a girls place in the beginning, this one seems more less shy at the idea.
"I don't know what I do without you…" she murmured before her eyes begun to drift to sleep, it probably won't be for too long but better to get her energy back this way.
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