I don't own Arknights or Type-Moon content.
She was late…
Edward nervously tapped the ground with his foot as he waited at the entrance of the local park, waiting for Leliana. He had been upset at first, but as time went on it was replaced with ever growing worry. She wasn't one to leave him stranded like this, in fact, she was always here early waiting for him.
"Edward, there you are." A voice called out to him, one which was certainly not Leliana's.
He turned around to look, finding Leliana's father gazing at him with an odd look. The man didn't look very well, his shoulders were slumped and his clothes looked a bit ruffled. His eyes felt tired and he let out a long sigh. "I'm sorry, but Leliana can't come today…She's in the hospital right now."
It took the young boy a few moments to process the words, his eyes widening as panic settled in. Hospitals were the places people went when they were very hurt, so something happened to her. Something very bad.
The older man noticed his distress, a sigh leaving his lips as he pulled a cigarette and lit it. "Do you want to come see her?" He asked, hoping a visit from a friend would raise his daughter's spirits.
Edward nodded quickly, his steps hurried as he followed the man to the familiar car. He shuffled restlessly the whole way, hoping she was alright. Fiddling with the edge of his jacket, he turned to her father. "What's wrong with Leliana? Is s-she alright?"
"Leliana…is very sick, Edward." Her father spoke slowly, carefully picking his words with eyes glued to the road. "I'm afraid she won't be able to play with you anymore."
Edward's eyes widened in disbelief. "Won't she get better if she takes medicine? That's what sick people do right?" He protested, bitterness leaking in his tone as he clung to hope.
"I'm sorry, little one, but there isn't any medicine for her sickness." The man's voice was devoid of emotion, his grip on the steering wheel tightening subconsciously.
Edward felt his worry grow as they approached the hospital and stopped in the parking lot. Following along inside, his eyes trailed curiously to the people around them as they approached the reception desk and then moved to Leliana's room. The young boy gulped nervously as they entered, closing the door behind him and finally seeing his friend.
Leliana sat in her bed, a small sketchbook on her lap as she drew on while glancing at the window. She took notice of them, smiling happily once her eyes settled on Edward. "Edward! You came!"
Edward walked to the bed and sat on the chair next to it, his eyes worriedly shifting between her and the monitors around. "Are you ok? Your dad told me you were sick…" He shifted around awkwardly, a worried look etched on his face. "I told you we shouldn't have played in the rain the other day." His guilt was palpable as he hesitantly pointed out.
"Yeah, but this is not about it." Leliana's smile diminished slightly as she began fiddling with the pencil in her hand absentmindedly.
Edward thought she was lying, but he didn't care about it. "How long are you going to stay here?" He spoke hesitantly, his eyes shifting to the adult in the room, only for the latter to shake his head.
"The doctors say they don't know when I can get out yet." Leliana's voice softened as she turned to the window, the refreshing spring breeze caressing her face. "They also said I can't play a lot after I get out of the hospital." Once she mustered her courage, she turned to look at her friend. "I can't play with you, Edward. I'm sorry."
Edward's eyes widened, his worst fears now a reality. He couldn't find what words to say as he tried to not cry, his mouth opening only to close immediately. His hands balled into fists as he watched his friend gripping her sketchboard tightly to her chest, looking only straight down.
Then an idea came to him.
"It's ok if we don't play like we're used to." He spoke quickly, giving Leliana an innocent smile. "I can still come here and we can play together some other way, can I? I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind." His gaze alternated between Leliana and her father, looking for any affirmation, however small.
Leliana perked up slightly at his suggestion, her slumped shoulders straightening just a bit more. "Really?! You would do that?!" Her voice felt better than before, more excited.
He nodded enthusiastically, unwilling to let his friend be sad. He turned to her dad, the man looking on with a small smile on his face. "Can I come here when you do, mister?"
"Of course, I see no issue with it." He nodded, his previous weariness dissipating somewhat at the sight of Leliana's smile. He feared seeing his daughter's heartbroken face if her friend abandoned her, a considerable burden lifted from his heart as he watched the two kids talking about Leliana's drawing.
"It looks great." Leliana's words failed to hide her amusement as her cheeks puffed up slightly. She tried her best to contain the laughter threatening to break free at the sight of Edward's pale imitation of the drawing she made.
…Although calling it a pale imitation is still a very optimistic evaluation of the mesh of scribbles for a building he made.
Edward's eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms and pouted in indignation, a redness creeping in his cheeks. "D-Don't laugh at me. It's mean."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Leliana's laughter gradually turned into giggles, looking much happier than when he first came in.
Edward huffed, crossing his arms and pouting before he tried to draw again after much coaxing from his friend. Time seemed to fly by as the two of them came up with all sorts of shenanigans inside the room, until the time came for Edward to leave.
Saying goodbye to his friend, the boy approached the door to leave. He stopped when he heard the voice of Leliana's father behind it, his curiosity leading him to listen in.
"I'm afraid her condition will worsen drastically at this rate. The improper muscle formation in her respiratory system keeps increasing rapidly." The lady's voice seemed serious and scary.
"Is there anything we can do?" Leliana's father sounded sad, and Edward heard some sobs near them.
"I'm afraid all we can do currently is try to mitigate the symptoms without using respiratory support. Physical therapy and " The doctor's tone reminded him of his father when he screwed up during an experiment.
"There's no cure?"
"I'm afraid not. There is no cure for Helmer's Myopathy."
Helmer's Myopathy? Is that the name of her sickness?
Edward yelped as he felt the door opening, his voice thankfully stopping whoever was behind it to wait for him to go out of the way. He nervously shifted about as the doctor passed him and headed to Leliana whilst the girl's father ushered him out.
Once they were outside, Edward saw Leliana's mother. She was frowning, her eyes looked red and tired, her lips downturned and her shoulders drooped.
"Is miss alright?" Edward asked, feeling sad and worried for her.
"I hope she will, young one. She is very scared for Leliana and she doesn't want her to be sick." The man didn't sound very convincing, his own demeanor matching his wife's. "Your father is waiting for you at the reception. I already talked to him about your visits and he agreed."
Edward nodded and quickly headed to his father in silence. Once the two of them were in the car, Edward took the opportunity to talk about Leliana's sickness. More importantly, he wanted to ask for his help in getting rid of Leliana's sickness.
"Magecraft isn't a solution for all problems, Edward." His father reprimanded him, his eyes stern as he drove them home. "Healing Magecraft is even more complicated to achieve, especially in dealing with a genetic disorder like this one." His gaze shifted to Edward for a brief moment before he shook his head. "Do you even have a single idea how you would begin to attempt this?"
Edward couldn't answer him, knowing full well his knowledge couldn't compare with his father's. "But I can't leave it like this. There has to be something I can do!" He didn't understand what a genetic mutation was, but stubbornly held on to the belief Magecraft offered the answer to his current dilemma.
His father sighed and remained silent until they arrived back home and down in the workshop. Grabbing a book, he threw it on the table in front of Edward before he sat down at his desk. "We'll be shifting our attention to curses. Your goal is to create a curse capable of inflicting Helmer's Myopathy."
"Why would I do that? Aren't we trying to get rid of it?" Edward asked, flabbergasted with his dad's attitude.
"Unless you want to flail around like a headless chicken trying out different spells on your friend, we need to create a curse we can work against as a basis for the creation of the healing spell." The magus wore his glasses and began reading through the papers on his desk. "Time is not your friend, it's your enemy. From this point onwards, you need to push yourself."
Looking over the thick book, Edward felt a pressure bearing down on him. Knowing Leliana's life was on the balance, fear gripped his heart and made him freeze. His hand reached for the book multiple times, only to retreat. "I d-don't think I can do this, dad." He couldn't resist fidgeting under his father's stare. "What if the curse I make is not good enough?"
"I'd say you're starting off on the right foot." His father smiled, an uncommon act for him to do during their lessons. "While your goal motivates you, the fear you speak of will keep you from getting over your head." He placed the book down and leaned against his chair, watching his son. "This endeavor is far from being simple, an orthodox magus would definitely call it a waste of time. Do you still want to do it?"
Edward's gaze shifted between the book and his father's patient gaze, swallowing nervously. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, his mind drifting back to his friend's smiling face. Opening his eyes, the young boy glared at the book in front of him and grasped it. "Yes. I'm going to do it."
A ghost of a smile appeared on his father's face as he stood up and walked to him, his hands folded behind him. "Then know this; If you have a goal or a dream, you have a duty to yourself and to those who believe in you, to make it come true." His hand patted his head, ruffling his hair. "You're only a dreamer until the day your dream comes true."
"Yes, father. I'll definitely do it!" Edward beamed at him, his hands gripping the grimoire with determination.
Heroes always saved their friends, after all.
Unlimited Blade Works...
EMIYA slowly opened his eyes, the ringing in his ears disappearing slowly along with the slight disorientation from the visions. He sighed when he saw the man responsible for his headache sitting not far from him while cleaning a nameless shortsword.
Noticing his stare, Edward stopped and glanced at the guardian. "What's up? You look more grumpy than usual." Faced with his silence, the magus pondered on the reason before realization came to him. "You were watching my memories, weren't you?" Noting the subtle twitch in his friend's brow, Edward snorted with amusement. "Did they finally knock some sense into you?"
"I'm not the one in need of sense here, imbecile." EMIYA's response was as cold as ever, his disapproving frown more pronounced due to the lingering headache. "It seems you're even more of a fool than I thought. Knowing what you've seen to be true, you still insist on this nonsensical chase." His sharp eyes glared at him, before all traces of emotions disappeared behind a composed expression once more.
Edward watched the sword in his hand disappear with a sigh. He stood up and sat down right next to the increasingly irritated counter guardian, watching the skies and the rusty gears filling it. "It's far from my first rodeo with the way the world works. You'll see them soon enough I suppose." He gave the man a cheeky smirk. "And you have the audacity to say you don't care."
"I do not. I find your continued efforts to be an eyesore, and I am trying to end it before you drown the people around you in disappointment and failure." EMIYA scoffed, his contempt palpable as his face relaxed and the constant throbbing ceased.
"That's bullshit and you know it. A man who didn't care wouldn't even humor any conversation from the very beginning." Edward's retort was swift, his glare meeting his friend's own without flinching. A frown spread on his face the more his friend reacted to his words. "Whenever I hear you speak, it feels like you're trying to convince yourself just as much as you're trying to deter me from continuing." Moving his sights to the clouds above and the light shining through them, Edward smiled knowingly. "You still want to be a Hero of Justice, don't you?"
As soon as the words left his lips, a dark shadow descended upon EMIYA's face. His jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed, tension filling his body. He looked on the brink of violence with fists balled up, nails digging into the palms of his hands. His lips curled into a sneer of disgust, as if the very idea of the words was repulsive. Slowly, he leaned back, trying to put on an image of faux calm despite being anything but. The archer shook his head and turned on his heel, storming away without waiting for a response, leaving behind the lingering threat of his wrath.
Edward made to follow him, only to notice his own body was dissolving, his welcome in this place reaching its end. He frowned and got up, his eyes staring at his friend's retreating figure. The magus couldn't remember ever seeing Shirou so defeated and disheartened, nor could he tolerate the bitter feeling of helplessness in his heart when faced with such a sight. "Hey, asshole!" His shout made the guardian stop, but did not turn to face him. "Go ahead! Keep on walking away! But I'll never give up on you, even if you give up on yourself!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, his frustration overflowing as the man turned his head to stare back at him.
Edward pointed at him as his figure continued to dissipate, his unrelenting glare not giving in to the frigid chill in EMIYA's eyes. "Just you wait and see." His body fully dissolved, leaving the counter guardian alone.
EMIYA silently observed the now empty space before disappearing into motes of magical energy, unwilling to converse with anyone.
Syracuse Settlement 100 kilometers away from Flore / June 1st, Year 1094 / 9:30 AM / Cloudy...
Edward sighed as he finished putting on his clothes, stretching his arms upon exiting his motel room and taking in the refreshing morning air. Never did the magus feel so grateful for civilization after so long away from running water, electricity, hot showers and the savory smell of freshly brewed coffee. The hustle and bustle of the people around him took some getting used to after living in the frigid tundras for years.
Leisurely moving to the reception, the magus was pleasantly surprised to find his two traveling partners waiting for him. He agreed to transport the two to Flore after failing to fix their vehicle and Fiammetta stopped rapid firing enough curses to convince a sailor to turn into a devout priest at the thing as well as Mostima for not showing a drastic reaction. Seeing their back and forth brought back fond memories of his time with Shirou and he enjoyed the company they offered after weeks of travel in the barrenlands.
Mostima looked as casual and easygoing as the day they met, while Fiammetta was valiantly fighting back the grogginess she was feeling. It didn't take him long to get a good understanding of their dynamic, even if the experience had him and Mostima suffer through some of the Liberi's outbursts occasionally.
"Good morning, Edward." Mostima greeted him first with her usual smile, her staves next to her as always while she held a journal. "I hope you slept well." She lazily propped her head on her palm while observing the people near them.
"Good morning, you two." He nodded and subtly gestured to Fiammetta, the fallen Sankta's amusement mirroring his own. "You doing alright, Fiammetta? You don't look so good."
Hearing her name, Fiammetta snapped to attention and surveyed her surroundings before glaring at the magus. "I'm fine, and you're late." She grunted and shifted slightly in her seat to make herself more comfortable. "Are we going or not?"
"I'm just going to return my keys before setting out, be right back." Unwilling to suffer any repercussions should her already short fuse be lit, Edward immediately retreated. He had no interest in paying for the wreck she'd make, or sleeping with one eye open at night.
Giving the keys to the receptionist, his mind brought him back to his conversation with Shirou. For years he's been experiencing the numerous memories of this version of his friend, an experience he never got used to no matter how many times he's been made to witness the countless tragedies the counter guardian went through. Watching his friend sit in his reality marble wallowing in his own misery ate at him more than he would admit, and he would sooner fight Buldrokkas'tee barehanded before he let him succumb to his despair.
'Well, I have a lot of time on my hand.' Edward smiled and left for his bike along with his fellow travelers. The weather was quite delightful today, one of the best since exiting the barrenlands. Edward hoped it would stay as such until they reached the city.
As soon as they got ready, the three of them left on the bike with Fiammetta stuck between Edward and Mostima, an arrangement they agreed to as Mostima's staves refused to be held by Edward, much less being placed in the inventory like Fiammetta's bigger gun. Although she wasn't as mistrustful of him as she was when they first met, Edward could still sense the caution and calculative way she analyzed all his actions. He found it slightly amusing so he played along, choosing to act suspiciously just to get a reaction out of the fiery Liberi, an act Mostima approved of.
Turning on the engine, the magus frowned as he twisted the handlebar a few times while assessing the two-wheeler. He was genuinely impressed by the wondrous performance this little 'gift' was capable of, a part of him wondering what other cards the empire hid behind the scenes. Though their goals aligned, Edward wasn't enjoying the gaping gap of power between their movement and the authorities. They held neither the power to resist Ursus's true monsters nor the means to compete with its overwhelming resources, a feeling of powerlessness remaining in his heart as well as the hearts of his comrades despite their defiance.
Slicking back his hair, Edward chose to shelve such thoughts for another time. As the two hopped on, the bike sped out and away from the settlement. Mostima casually spread her hands out as she felt the winds against her face, her blue hair wildly fluttering in the air without a care for the potential danger she faced. "Ah, this is much more refreshing than being stuck in a car." A mischievous smile appeared on her face, her arms snaking around Fiammetta's waist and placing her head on the startled redhead's shoulder. "You're too stiff, Fiammetta~"
Fiammetta barely contained her yelp, choosing to elbow the unruly miscreant behind her as she growled. "Hands off, idiot." The Liberi could practically see the carefree smile on the fallen Sankta's face as she ignored her. Given their situation, Fiammetta decided to patiently wait for them to reach the city and get off the bike before having a few choice words with her.
Edward caught sight of the two in one of the mirrors and whistled with a provocative smile, noticing Mostima's amused look. "Do you two need some alone time, lovebirds?" He quipped.
"Tace inferne, spurcissime." Fiammetta hissed, eyes narrowing dangerously and trying to maintain her composure and discipline.
Mostima's lips twitched in a barely concealed smile as she shifted her attention from her friend's ruffled feathers to the Ursus man. "So, Edward," she said, her voice laced with curiosity. "What brings you to Flore?" The lock and key had been unusually agitated since their meeting, and Mostima couldn't help but wonder what had made it so hostile against him. She took a deep breath and savored the fresh countryside air around them as she waited for his response.
"I'm visiting my brother. It's been years since I've seen him." Edward's voice carried a hint of longing and reminiscence, his eyes staring at the road absentmindedly as he thought of the past, if only momentarily. "What about you? Were you two originally planning to head there?" He asked, hoping to shift the focus to them.
"Not really. We were planning to take a short break there before heading on our merry way." The fallen Sankta lazily shrugged, her smile as friendly as ever. "I'm a Catastrophe messenger and occasionally do errands for a logistics company I work for, so I don't really stay in one place for too long."
"Must be a tough gig, lucky for you you have great company." Edward smirked when he noticed Fiammetta weighing whether to be upset or satisfied with the compliment. Seeing her frown receding, the magus chose to believe the fiery woman was appeased somewhat.
"Naturally. I couldn't imagine passing my days without her constant surveillance. Care to guess how many times she was stopped by the local law enforcement when people got worried she was a perverted stalker?" Mostima wiggled her eyebrows as she noted the subtle tint of red creeping up Fiammetta's cheeks.
"Oh? Here I thought "Perverted Stalker" would be one of her codenames. I'd give her a solid fifty." Edward found the resulting silence to be unnerving, glancing to his mirror multiple times on the off chance Fiammetta decided to open fire on him or throw Mostima off the bike. He saw Mostima smiling at him in the same way one would at a child who answered a question with the cutest and most naive response. It didn't help that Fiammetta was trying to hide her face right now, the embarrassment easily palpable from the lack of immediate threat. "Am I overshooting or undershooting it?"
Mostima's smile grew, yet she chose to remain silent. Whether it was out of her own amusement or a simple wish to be able to sleep soundly at night, he couldn't tell. Deciding to keep whatever goodwill Fiammetta had for him, Edward fought back the grin threatening to appear and accelerated.
Flore came into sight half an hour later, the imposing size of the nomadic city as impressive as ever in the magus's eyes. It wasn't moving, the fumes and smoke of its industry and machinery visible from afar. Entering into the city proper, Edward observed the streets while reminiscing about the few times he accompanied his mother to visit his uncle. Although not much has changed since then, it felt like a vastly different place from the past. The invigorating aroma of fresh pastries and roasted coffee coupled with the lively atmosphere as people conversed animatedly in the outdoor cafes were sights Edward missed after spending so much time away from city life.
Edward drove the girls to a hotel and parked in the underground lot. After helping them with their luggage, he stood with Mostima while Fiammetta handled the booking. As he flipped a coin, he asked, "How long are you planning to stay in town?"
Mostima shrugged and munched on a bag of cookies. "About a month or so, maybe more if we can't find a good deal for a new ride."
Edward nodded silently. "Let's meet again before you leave." He glanced over at Fiammetta, who was muttering under her breath about the high rent price. "Try not to have her pop blood vessels in the meantime, would you?" He quipped, knowing that Fiammetta's hot temper could be triggered by the slightest annoyance.
"I would never~" Mostima replied with a smile, offering Edward a bribe in the form of a cookie.
As the two of them munched on their snacks, Fiammetta's irritation grew. She clenched her fist and scowled at them, wishing she didn't have to take care of their affairs.
"Now that you two are settled, I'll take my leave," Edward said, handing the last piece of luggage to Mostima. "Take care of each other." He nodded at Fiammetta, who gave him a curt nod in return.
"Thank you for your help, Edward. Let's meet again sometime, I hear the city has some great restaurants around. Fiammetta's treat." Mostima waved at him, even whilst her friend sighed.
"Sounds great. I'll hold you to that." Waving back at the duo, the magus made his way back to the bike and drove out of the lot. Although he didn't remember the way well, Eden's assistance allowed him to reach his intended destination. He came to a halt in front of a rather large building, a training center of sorts. It exuded a classical charm, with warm ochre walls adorned with intricate murals of ancient warriors. The space is filled with the rich aroma of espresso, emanating from a small café tucked away in one corner. The sound of clanging weights and the buzz of chatter from trainers and trainees alike intermingle with the strains of traditional music playing softly in the background. Large windows let in streams of sunlight, illuminating the sleek modern equipment and the gleaming marble floors, evoking a sense of old-world elegance.
As Edward walked down the hallway, he caught sight of the trainees in the exterior yard. They were wielding an array of weapons, from gleaming swords to deadly-looking spears, and moving with precision under the watchful eyes of an old man who looked like he had seen many battles. Edward paused to observe them, impressed by their focus and determination as they practiced their techniques.
The old man stood tall and lean for his age, his weathered face bearing the marks of a life lived with purpose. He wore a dark suit and a brown overcoat that had seen better days, but still conveyed a sense of dignity and strength. A monocle perched on his nose, which gave him a slightly intimidating air.
His white hair was neatly groomed and his beard, also white, was trimmed close to his chin. His sharp features were etched with lines of experience and wisdom, and his piercing amber eyes conveyed a sense of authority that commanded respect.
All of which were overcome by shock and surprise once he caught sight of the magus, his face paling and eyes widening as he rubbed his face before looking at Edward again. Once he realized Edward wasn't an illusion, the man sprinted towards him with speed belying his age, opening the door to the courtyard violently and almost tearing it off its hinges in the process.
"Young master Edward!" He came to a stop in front of him, his shaking hands holding onto his shoulders with a vice grip. "It really is you." His voice was devoid of the composure and eloquence Edward was used to hearing, the old Lupo's emotions as clear as day on his wizened face.
Edward smiled at him, placing his hands on the man's shoulders with a firm grip. "I'm glad to see you again, Dante. You look splendid as usual."
The old wolf, Dante, was quick to compose himself as he retracted his hands. Humming gently, he rubbed his beard thoughtfully whilst he took in Edward's figure with a critical eye. "It looks like you've had a hard time during these long years." His eyes narrowed when he noticed the scar on his cheek and neck, his sight trailing to his metallic limb which he sensed in the brief moment he grasped his shoulders. "It brings me great joy to see you alive and well, young one. You traveled a long and arduous path to get here." Placing his hands behind his back, he ushered the Ursus to follow him. "Come, let us head to my office."
Edward nodded and walked next to the old soldier, pleasantly surprised by how little he had changed since the last time he saw him. He could easily remember the times he snuck to the courtyard to try his hand at using weapons, only for Dante to catch him and keep him from making a fool of himself. Numerous times he was saved from his mother's wrath thanks to Dante covering for him, much to her chagrin.
Entering Dante's office, the two shared a cup of coffee and caught up on old times. Edward felt a sense of comfort in old Lupo's presence, knowing he could always rely on the old soldier's wisdom and guidance whenever he needed it.
"You've chosen a perilous path, young one. I'm proud to see your drive hasn't dimmed." Dante smiled warmly, his finger idly tapping the desk when he caught sight of the red thread tied around Edward's finger. "It brings me great relief to see you've found a partner. It was my greatest worry for the longest time." The old wolf offered a teasing grin, eyes filled with curiosity despite not asking any questions.
Dante's warm smile and teasing words brought a sense of levity to the conversation, and Edward couldn't help but chuckle at the mention of his partner. He glanced down at the red thread tied around his finger, a reminder of his commitment to his chosen path.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, old man. Here I thought you'd be the one to not have such doubts about my romantic prospects." Edward quipped with a grin of his own, the thought of Talulah softening his gaze. "I'm grateful for your concern about finding a partner, regardless. I couldn't have asked for a better one than her."
Dante nodded, eyes filled with understanding. "I always knew you had a keen eye for the important things in life." He said with a chuckle, his finger still tapping the desk. "But let's not dwell on the past too much. There are new challenges ahead, and I have a feeling you'll be more than up to the task." Taking a sip of his coffee, the man's smile slightly diminished as he adjusted his monocle. "So, how can I help you today, Edward?"
"I'm here to see Enzo. I want to see how he's doing and how life has treated him ever since…what happened." Edward sighed upon the brief recollection of his mistake, his mind brought from his dark thoughts when he noticed Dante's eyes flinching subtly upon the mention of his brother.
Dante hesitated for a moment, his expression pained as if he was trying to find the right words. Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke in a low voice. "I'm afraid I have some bad news, young master."
Edward's heart sank at the words, and he felt a lump form in his throat. Dante looked at him sympathetically, but seemed to be struggling with how to continue. "W-What do you mean, old man?" He struggled for words, fear gripping the magus's heart and his mind hanging on Dante's response.
"I'm sorry, young master." Dante took a deep breath and looked Edward deep in the eye, his amber eyes weary and saddened. "Young master Enzo…is missing."
Edward felt his stomach drop as the weight of Dante's words hit him. "Missing? What do you mean he's missing?" He asked, desperation creeping into his voice.
Dante sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "Enzo disappeared a few weeks ago. We've been searching for him ever since, but there's been no sign of him." A weariness and fatigue seemed to overtake his jovial face, which only served to fuel the magus's fears.
'No, this can't be happening. I-It just can't be.' Edward breath turned haggard as his mind was pulled back to the accursed day his family fell apart, and the promise he made. He rubbed his forehead and bit his lip as he fidgeted in his seat, trying to find any means to calm himself.
'Do not be rash. We should investigate this case before coming to any conclusions.' Eden's voice snapped him out of his festering worries, desperation giving way to dissatisfaction as Edward clenched his fists tightly.
Dante shared in his frustration, the man leaning back against his chair with narrowed eyes. "Your uncle's been every bit as ceaseless as the rest of us in his pursuits of him, turning every nook and cranny for the slightest lead. Unfortunately, our finds have been very lacking." Standing up, Dante moved to the window, his eyes pensive as he observed the passers by.
Edward's eyes narrowed, gritting his teeth at the dire state of the search. "Dante." His voice came out cold, the cheerful taste of reunion replaced with bitterness. "Tell me everything you know. We have to find him."
Turning to Edward, the old soldier silently examined the younger man's eyes for a few brief moments. He remembered Enzo having the same gaze when he first wished to train under him, the memory forcing a sigh out of Dante. "It would be better to show you. Let us be off." Grabbing his keys, the two silently left the building with the magus following after the old man's car with his bike.
As the two of them left the bustling city behind and entered the suburbs, Edward couldn't help but notice the stark contrast in their surroundings. The flashy neon lights were replaced with dilapidated buildings and crumbling infrastructure at the fringes of the metropolis, revealing the less glamorous side of urban life. It didn't take him long to note the eyes watching them as they drove deeper into the area, prompting him to put his guard up should any of the watchers decide to try their luck.
Dante led them to a small pub, and with the click of a remote, a nearby garage door opened, and they parked their vehicles inside. As they stepped out, the magus couldn't help but feel the piercing gaze of the gangsters and mafiosos inside. The atmosphere was tense, but Dante seemed to be unfazed by it.
With a reassuring tap on his shoulder, the old man gestured towards the bar. "Don't worry, young lord. They're friends." He said with a chuckle, making his way towards the bar, followed by Edward.
As they approached, the bartender, a burly middle-aged Forte, greeted Dante indifferently. "Old wolf, what brings you here?" He asked, his black eyes scanning over to Edward before narrowing. "And with company, no less. You must be Enzo's older brother."
Edward was taken aback by the mention of his brother's name. "How do you know Enzo?" He asked, his arms crossed in front of him. He could tell the man's words attracted more attention towards the magus, the others around them paying closer attention to the Ursus.
The bartender chuckled. "You're definitely the little squirt's brother. That glare gives it away." He said, cleaning a glass. "The name's Petros. I'm a friend of the troublemaker. It's nice to finally meet the person he's talked about endlessly." A faint smile crossed Petros' stone-like face. Petros wiped his hands with a rag, setting the glass down before looking back up at the pair. "So, what brings you to this part of town? A meeting with the boss lady I take it?"
Dante nodded, and Petros gestured to the nearby staircase. "Well, you're in luck. She just came back, you'll find her in the study." There was a tinge of amusement in his voice, although Edward couldn't quite make out the reason for it.
Walking up the staircase, the duo came upon the mentioned room. Dante knocked a few times, announcing their presence. "Signora Wu'an. It is I, Dante."
'Wu'an? Sounds like a Yan name.' Edward silently contemplated the possible connections the woman had to his brother and Dante.
The door opened slowly, revealing a mature female Lung. She looked to be in her mid twenties, her braided hair was rose gold in color, its dark brown roots matching the color of her horns and tail. She wore athletic pants coupled with flat shoes and a black tank top, showcasing an array of impressive tattoos on her forearms, the most notable of which being the dragon soaring up her chest to her neck while wavering side to side.
"Anything you need, Dante?" Her stoic face didn't shift as she looked at both of them, her gaze briefly focusing on Edward before turning back to Dante.
Dante nodded respectfully. "Signora Wu'an, this is the young master Edward, Enzo's brother. He wishes to help us in searching for Enzo."
Wu'an's gaze flickered to Edward, her scrutinizing gaze met with his own. "Enzo's brother, you say?" She mused, her eyes narrowed slightly. "My name's Wu'an, I run this place. Come in, both of you. We have much to discuss." She stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter the room.
Once inside, the magus immediately took note of the interior of the room. Though far from lavish, the furniture and condition of the walls were certainly better than one would expect given the state of the building from an outside perspective. He noticed the Yanish ornaments decorating the walls as well as the smell of incense, a rather pleasant and sweet aroma keeping the room refreshing. He stood near the only desk in the room, noting the tinted glasses near the stack of papers placed there and the jacket barely hanging on the chair.
His eyes stopped at the small portrait on the desk, trembling eyes taking hold of it as he stared at the picture within. It featured Wu'an smiling slightly whilst a cheerful young Lupo hugged her from behind, a big grin on his face. Edward's fingers traced his brother's joyous face, a plethora of emotions building in his heart. It seemed the years were much kinder to Enzo than him, his sibling's childish features replaced with sharp features reminiscent of their uncle. Gone was the childish light in his black eyes, a mature bearing hidden behind a easygoing smile.
Wu'an gently grasped the portrait, waking him up from his stupor as he let go of it. Rubbing his eyes, the magus stared at the Lung woman. "What's…your relationship with my brother?" He asked, trying to calm down the emotions welling in his chest.
Wu'an stared at the portrait, her braid hanging over her shoulder as her expression softened. "I am his girlfriend." She gently placed the picture back to its place, leaning on the desk as she moved to a large painting in front of them. Edward's eyes widened, not expecting such an answer.
Wu'an continued, her gaze still fixed on the unassuming painting. "We've been together for a little over a year now. He is kind, caring, and always puts others before himself. He's also very passionate about his dreams." She turned to him, a small smile on her lips.
Edward felt a sense of relief wash over him at her words. His brother had found someone who appreciated him for who he was. "Thank you for telling me." He said, offering her a small smile in return.
Wu'an nodded, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "Enzo talked about you a lot, you know. He was always very proud of his older brother." She turned back to the painting before taking it off, Edward's eyes narrowing when he saw the intricate chart of clues hidden behind it as he took in every line, cross and circle in it.
"It's been a little over a month since he disappeared. I've been searching every corner of the gang lands in search of a clue while your uncle did his best to investigate the downtown area." The woman pointed at an image featuring an article bearing the title 'The Covenant On a Rampage'. "The Covenant, one of the most feared gangs in the city, has been on a killing spree for a while, annihilating a good portion of the gangs around the city. They appear to be searching for something and the timing seems to match Enzo's sudden disappearance. I'm aware he had a cordial relationship with their leader, but my efforts in locating them yielded little results." Moving her finger to another article, the woman frowned. "There's also been a noticeable number of people going missing recently, and I've had some success investigating the crime scenes. I'm making preparations for the next step, it should be time soon. Albeit slim, there is a possibility Enzo might have gotten involved in this." She shifted her attention to the isolated poster, turning to Edward and Dante as she gestured to the picture of a figure wearing a mask showing a half-laughing, half-crying face. "Then we have this piece of work. His nickname's 'The grinning mourner', an unknown person who's been going around killing influential figures in the city, both in the underworld and outside of it. His handiwork is easily recognizable by the face he leaves in the crime scenes." Wu'an's face looked almost hateful as she glared at the poster. "He's also been killing all my leads and suspects. Finding him could be helpful to the search."
"As you can see, we have our work cut out for us." Dante hummed thoughtfully as he continued to examine their leads.
"At least we have something to work with." Edward chimed in, his eyes shifting through the circled names in the papers in front of him. "Give me what targets we know the locations of and I'll get all the information they have without fail." Crossing his arms, Edward looked between the Lupo and the Lung for further instructions.
"Are you certain? Some of these guys are hard to capture." Wu'an appeared skeptical of the notion, a feeling shared by Dante.
"Of course. Enzo will be back with us in no time, just point me to where I need to go. I'll handle the rest." Edward's voice was somber and cold, eyes fixed on the three main clues.
'Wait for me, brother.'
Omake: Wild "Tales" of Eden : To Chase A Flame 3 : A Team
Talulah sighed in relief as she finally finished her duties for the day, a great weight lifted off her shoulders as she stretched her limbs. Moving through the camp, the Draco could see some of the Yetis helping around the little area reserved for the kids in their ranks as their little playground.
"Hello, Ofnir. I see you're working hard as usual." She greeted the Vouivre with a smile, the young man moving carrying two kids on his shoulders with a helpless smile.
"Hello, Talulah. Done with your work?" He adjusted the kids on top of him, flinching as they pulled his horns with wide grins on their faces.
Talulah chuckled, a fond smile on her face as she looked for the others. "Where are the others? Did they leave all the work to you guys?" She patted the head of one of the kids, her heart fluttering at the sight of their happy grins.
"Yeah, they're having their story hour as usual. We were just unlucky to have been the ones to get the short end of the stick this time with our dice rolls." Ofnir groaned when he noticed one of the kids trying to sneak off somewhere and gestured to his nearby sibling to get them. "It's going to be a pain to catch up to the storyline now."
"I'll go check it out and tell you what happened. It should be fun." Talulah waved at him and slowly retreated away from the playground, glad to have escaped before Ofnir could have asked for her help with the kids.
Making her way through the camp, Talulah found the group easily enough. Alina sat in the middle of them whilst reading the story with equal amounts of intrigue as the others, their focus on her allowed the Draco to take a seat without much trouble.
She listened in, enjoying the company of her friends as the Elafia gently recounted the unknown tale.
Wano Country…
Laying down on the beach, Ace took a deep breath as he enjoyed the relaxing breeze. It's been several weeks since their crew arrived in this country, and their visit has been quite the experience while it lasted. Having gained a new crew member thanks to Vill-V ingenuity, Ace could say it was a very fruitful stop on their journey.
A shadow loomed over him, obscuring the sunshine and making him open his eyes. His gaze met the curious eyes of Yamato and Otama who sat on her shoulders, the large woman grinning at him. "Someone's excited to set sail, I see."
"Of course! This is my first time sailing outside of Onigashima." Yamato shifted her attention to the endless sea in front of them, before she looked at her hands lacking the cuffs which robbed her of her freedom for so long. "I'm excited to go on adventures with everyone." She smiled as she sat down next to him, the little girl holding onto her horns to steady herself.
Otama pouted, her eyes watering slightly as she thought of the impending departure. "I don't want to say goodbye to Ace and everyone else." She whispered, her voice cracking as she held back her sobs. "Why didn't uncle Kevin let me join you? I wanted to go on adventures with you like sis Yamato and Gresio." She looked at Ace, her eyes serious and determined for a child her age.
"We'll come back in no time, Otama. You don't have to worry." Yamato tried to reassure the girl. "Maybe next time, Kevin will let you join us."
"You have to be strong to go with us." Ace sat up, giving the child a reassuring grin as he patted her head. "So you should train hard so that when we come back, you can convince Kevin to let you come with us. Who knows? Maybe if you become a bewitching female ninja, Elysia will have you come with us." He quipped, knowing all too well even the mighty Kevin would never dare go against the Miss Pink Elf.
"I don't need to be strong! Big Brother Kalpas will protect me!" Otama wasn't convinced. She crossed her arms, the gesture making her angry face look adorable. "No one can beat Big Brother Kalpas." She huffed and turned away from him, the act unwittingly making her lose her balance and fall down.
Only to be caught by a familiar masked man, his figure appearing out of nowhere. "Are you trying to get yourself hurt?" Kalpas's voice seemed reprimanding, yet it lacked the usual edge as he set Otama down. "Stop whining about that. Like the two morons said, just grow stronger. Otherwise, you'll only slow us down." He crossed his arms, uncaring for the angry glares Ace and Yamato threw his way.
"You wanna have a go, Kalpas?!" The two stood up almost instantly as they pointed their fingers at the Mad King of Decimation.
Their indignant challenge was met with an amused chuckle before the man turned his back to them and began walking away. "Neither of you are worth the hunt."
Otama looked at Kalpas's retreating figure with a smile. "Big Brother Kalpas!" She called out to him, her smile widening when the man stopped and turned to look at her. "It's a promise, okay?! I'll become much, much stronger!" She gestured with her hands, trying to mimic punches she's seen.
Kalpas remained silent and left without a word. Ace felt something wasn't quite the same in the enigmatic man, his shoulders feeling much broader than before. 'I guess even he has a soft spot.' The flame man was reminded of a decision he was planning to go through today, his face pensive as he stared at their ship.
"I have something I need to do. I'll be back." Nodding towards Yamato, Ace walked to the ship whilst his mind battled with the apprehension he felt in his chest. Walking towards the bow of the ship, Ace saw Kevin and MEI standing there as they discussed their travel plans. For a moment, he hesitated, wondering if it was the right time to come clean about his secret to his friends.
Kevin sensed his presence, turning to look at him with his usual stoic face. "Can we help you, Ace?" His blue eyes calmly observed the young man, waiting for his response.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you two." He scratched his hair awkwardly, wondering where he could start. "Do you guys have a minute?" He asked, eyes deliberately focused anywhere but on them as he approached.
"Of course." MEI nodded with a welcoming smile.
'Well, here goes.' Channeling his courage, Ace revealed the truth of his birth and his darkest secret. Throughout their adventures, the Flame Chasers have been nothing but welcoming towards him, and he trusted them completely.
"I have something important to tell you both." Ace's voice was steady, though he could feel the weight of his confession bearing down on him. "I haven't been completely honest with you about who I am and where I come from. My father…is Gol D Roger."
As he spoke, he watched their expressions change from confusion to surprise, then to understanding. Kevin's stoic face softened, and MEI's eyes widened with empathy.
"It is irrelevant." Kevin's voice remained as calm as ever, almost as if he didn't consider the statement anything other than simple details.
"I have bad blood in my veins…don't you want to kick me out?" Ace asked, eyes trailing between the two for any reaction.
"You don't have to care about your bloodline. Our sins begin and stop with us." Kevin patted his shoulder, his reassuring words matched by a ghost of a smile.
"He's right, you know." MEI nodded and chuckled at the incredulous face Ace was making. "We're a team. We're here to support each other."
"That's right~" Elysia's voice gave Ace the shock of his life as the young man jumped to the edge of the ship, his face red as he felt her breath on his neck. "I've been here listening the whole time, and I couldn't agree more with what Kevin and MEI said." Elysia's smile was as bright as ever, and her words put Ace at ease.
He saw the rest of his friends as they stood at the back, their support of him requiring no words as they shared a knowing glance.
"Thank you, guys." Ace let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, feeling grateful for the support of his friends. "I wasn't sure how you would react, but I'm glad I told you."
"Of course, Ace." MEI put a comforting hand on his arm, her eyes full of understanding. "You can always count on us, no matter what."
Ace felt a sense of warmth and belonging wash over him as he looked at his friends. He knew that, no matter what challenges they faced in the future, they would face them together as a team. And with that thought in mind, he felt ready to take on whatever the world had in store for them.
Name: Ahkmatov Edward Viktorovish. (Formerly Edward Miles)
Race: Ursus.
Age: 24 years old.
Element: Fire, Air, Earth.
Originium-Cell Assimilation: 10%.
Originium blood concentration: 0.18 u/L.
Arts: Telekinesis.
Current condition:
Stable
Inventory:
-"Introduction to the field of Alchemy. "
-" Intricacies of Transmutation. "
-" Advanced Bounded Fields. "
-" Advanced Runes and the engraving process. "
-" The paths of Healing magecraft and Spiritual healing. "
-" Holy sacraments "
-" Oriental Spiritual Evocation and Music "
-" Puppets. "
-Some Food.
-Flute
-Class card( Archer class heroic spirit designation: "Nameless" )
-Holy shroud.
-Carbon (30Kg)
-Ammonia(5L)
-Lime(1.7Kg)
-Phosphorus(350g)
-Salt(200g)
-Niter(100g)
-Blood sample (Yelena)
-Blood sample (Buldrokkas'tee)
-4000 LMD.
Points: 1000.
Artificial Ursus arm (manufacturing in progress: 98%).
Cautus Puppet Body (manufacturing in progress: 15%).
Wendigo Puppet Body (manufacturing in progress:10%).
Hello there, everyone. I deeply apologize for the very late update. Life has been very difficult these past few months and it made writing incredibly difficult. Hopefully things get better soon and I should make more progress on my stories.
In other news, I have made a Discord server. Feel free to join if you are interested: discord . gg / AP6xKzZXgU.
I have also updated Edward's Oripathy information to be more in line with the condition I wished for him to have.
Thank you for reading.
Have a Nice Day and Stay Safe.
Next Update will be for The Wise King.