Queens Knight Chronicles
ESKK: Now lets begin the third chapter.
(Start Tropical Island Dilan's group)
The trio was sitting on a table by the beach that was near the docks their ship had docked in. As they sat, they each had ice cream as Dilan had a map open in front of him. Shizuka had changed her outfit for one of the swimsuits in the stores and looked ready for a trip to the beach. "Yeap, we docked at the wrong docks." Dilan said as he pointed out the situation.
"No way but they have ice cream." Shizuka said as Tomoe nodded.
"I suspected as much." Tomoe said but Dilan had more.
"Now hold on technically we are in Gainos we're just on an island off the coast of Gainos." Dilan said pointing out said issue. "We just need to board another ship and get to the correct docks." Dilan said voicing the solution.
"So do you know when the ship will depart?" Tomoe asked as she hoped their guide had an answer.
"Asked around when I got this map, we're going to be here for a bit at most a night maybe." Dilan said and thus Shizuka nodded.
"Well in that case we should enjoy this reprieve while we have it." Shizuka said with a smile on her face.
"What do you mean?" Dilan asked and thus all Shizuka did was smirk at Dilan.
"When in Rome do as the Romans." Shizuka said urging the pair to follow her. "Come on, Dragon Boy, To-Mo-e trust me." Shizuka said with a smirk on her face.
(Later)
"Should have seen this coming." Dilan said as currently sitting nearby as Tomoe was trying on different swimsuits. Dilan himself had gotten a pair of swimming trunks for the time being as he leaned against the wall closest to the window. Shizuka had told him that she owed Dilan thanks for helping them out back in Hinomoto and this was her way to do it. Needless to say, Dilan was not one to complain about it being a hot-blooded male. Tomoe tried on different swimsuits from modest to moderately risqué.
All the while Dilan was giving his own two cents on each of them not that he wanted to. Tomoe soon got to a pink two piece which got Dilan wide eyed. "Done perfect we have a winner!" Dilan called out as he saw the outfit Tomoe came out in.
"How does this protect Hinomoto?" Tomoe asked and thus Dilan was confused for a bit.
"Wait that's what told her, you told me I was getting a prize for helping." Dilan said as he looked to Shizuka who was grinning mischievously. Dilan had a sneaking suspicion that Tomoe had been tricked into doing this show by her friend as he glared at Shizuka. Tomoe shared the glare no doubt upset about it like they were.
"Why I out to." Dilan began but was cut off by a commotion outside.
"Ye fighters who wish to participate in the Queen's Blade!" Nanael voice was heard opting the trio to check out the source. Outside they saw the floating orbs displaying a battle in progress as they saw who was fighting.
"Is that?" Tomoe asked when she saw the battle take place.
"Yeap, the Queens Blade." Shizuka confirmed with a smile on her face at what they were seeing.
"Wait… that tentacle chicks opponent!" Dilan called out and thus he saw who it was. It was none other than Skadi as she was currently fighting the woman with the tentacle staff. "SKADI!" Dilan called out surprised to see her in the tournament.
"Wait you know that girl?" Shizuka asked as she looked to Dilan.
"Yeah, she's an archer and a gifted magic user." Dilan revealed as he had a hunch as to why. "She and I used to adventure together with a third member a while back." Dilan added building their cover for the time being.
"If she is anything like you, I suspect she might be a formidable foe." Tomoe said fearing if Skadi had a Knight of her own. Just then Dilan gasped when he saw Tomoe's top come off leaving the priestess topless. Dilan would have ogled if the situation had been elsewhere.
(During the Battle with Skadi)
Skadi ran across the battlefield against her foe dodging her fire attacks as she ran. Moving towards tome rocks Skadi notched up some arrows before jumping off the rocks and firing off ice enhanced arrows. The attacks grazed her foe as she snarled at Skadi for that.
"You cowardly bitch!" She cried out as Skadi then spun and avoided another attack from her crazed foe.
'Jeez how did I end up in this situation?' Skadi mentally bemoaned as she glared at the opponent before her. 'Of course, dumb question I already know how it happened.' Skadi mentally scolded as she then slid under another fire attack from this woman.
It was a casual day more or less after she awoke in this strange world and met the angel Marianne Skadi was quick to get to work. She knew her friends were out there and instead of having her look for them she felt it was smarter to have them look for her via the Queens Blade. Skadi wasn't wholly invested on winning only spreading her name.
She was actually scouting the area when she had suddenly been attacked by this woman, Nyx Master of Flames. It came out of nowhere and Skadi had of course tried to end it there by letting the woman walk away. But she would not let it happen and Skadi was forced upon the sight of a scene straight out of a tentacle rape hentai.
Then to add insult to injury that blue haired angel, Nanael, came down and announced the Queens Blade. It became a match between Skadi and Nyx no on an official standing. Skadi was tempted to go for Nanael and strangle the angel for this move. Skadi cursed and hid behind a few rocks and notched up another arrow knowing Nyx had flight abilities thanks to her tentacle rape monster staff. Needing to make the shot count Skadi waited for the opening to strike.
"Now burn!" Nyx roared and sent forth a torrent of flames upon Skadi.
"Dammit." Skadi cursed and began chanting to summon some ice. Acting fast Skadi made a shield of ice and hid behind it for as long as it can hold. Waiting and biding her time Skadi knew that Nyx would stop the fire soon. It eventually happened as Nyx laughed at her apparent victory here.
Instead, Skadi charged out over her shield and fired off a barrage of Arrows at her foe. The Arrows flew at Nyx who acted fast and made a shield of flames to turn the arrows to ash. But those arrows were just the diversion as Skadi ran across the ground and fired an arrow at Nyx's blind spot. Her target was none other than her staff as she nailed it right in the creatures eye.
The staff cried out in pain as its eye was hit by the arrow. This in turn caused both the staff and Nyx to fall and hit the ground hard. "Master Furikura!" Nyx cried out as she saw her beloved Furikura was hit by Skadi. Removing the arrow Nyx glared at Skadi in pure contempt. However, before Nyx could attack again the now upset Furikura latched onto Nyx and began to rub his tentacles around the woman. "Wait Master Furikura I'm sorry I didn't mean for you to get hurt!" Nyx cried out before one of the tentacles entered her mouth causing Skadi to gag with disgust.
"Gross." Skadi said as she prepared a sleep arrow for what came next. As Furikura punished Nyx Skadi fired the arrow and with it both witch and demon staff found themselves knocked out. "And that settles that." Skadi said as she began to walk away from the fight.
"The winner of this battle is Skadi the Mystic Lunar Archer!" Nanael called out as she successfully hosted a Queens Blade without any outside issues invalidating it and ruining things.
(Scene Break in Skadi's Hometown)
A day later Skadi sat in her office as she went over the parchment with reports printed on them. Going over the updates she saw that their hunting parties have brought back monsters that can be harvested for materials and food. More so the lumber they were receiving from the forest was proving excellent in helping the village stay warm. Though Skadi suspected that after the attack from Nyx a lot of people were not invested in firewood right now.
Just then the door into her office opened and from it her overseer of the village arrived, Goldie. "Skadi, I have updates from the scouting party into the forest." Goldie said as the large girl with a large axe entered the office.
"Alright what do you got?" Skadi said as she put her quill down to hear here out.
"The ones who came back found Elves inside the forest one of them acting as protector of said forest." Goldie said revealing that the Village has neighbors deep in the forest.
"I take it the Elves aren't fond that the village of humans is so close to their own?" Skadi asked as she interlocked her hands and raised a brow.
"Doesn't look that way or we may have gotten too close to their village with the scouts." Goldie said and thus Tsubaki knew this required a delicate touch from her. Skadi was no politician she was a businesswoman back home operating an entire department by herself. The fact that even today the business world favored men over woman meant Skadi had to work twice as hard.
"Well, this could be trouble." Skadi said thinking over how they were going to handle this on a more peaceful relations between the two sides.
"What do you think?" Goldie asked as the axewoman wondered if Skadi had a plan.
Skadi then stood up with a sigh and went on to grab her gear. "Let's go meet the neighbors." Skadi said making it clear that she was going to host peaceful relations with these Elves. It was better to do this now then to start a needless war with them.
"Alright!" Goldie said and thus she left the room to go grab her axe from her own room. Goldie liked this plan better because even if this was not the forest, she knew she was still the one guarding nature.
(Scene Break in the forest)
Skadi and Goldie had made their way out of the town and into the forest following the trail the Scouts had made. Walking deep into the forest Skadi kept her eyes focused and her ears open for any signs of trouble. Their objective was clear and that was to find the Elven Forest and meet with them for peaceful relations.
"This is certainly the trail the scouts made." Skadi said noting that the scouts had been smart enough to make their path into the forest.
"So where are the elves?" Goldie asked as she looked around but found now elves.
"Possibly deeper into the forest." Skadi said as they continued their search for the Elves. For a moment Skadi felt like a little girl again out in the woods seeking magical elves to go on a magical adventure like in those old fairy tales. Of course, Skadi was smarter and more mature from those bygone days. Still, it was a strange sense of DeJa'Vu for her. Going deep into the forest Skadi then stopped and signaled for Goldie to stop.
"I feel it too." Goldie said as both she and Skadi sensed a sudden shift. The pair looked around as they knew that someone was in the forest with them almost like they were preparing to attack them. Skadi reached for her bow with one hand and a hunting dagger with the other. Goldie did the same by inching her hand towards her battle axe.
From out of the trees, a girl with a staff weapon came forth and attack the two, as she aimed for Skadi first, but she pulls out her bow to defend herself and parry the staff away which push the girl back with Goldie came forth with her axe raise but had the axe head face away to knock the girl back, until a pink monkey like creature came forth and block it with its fur.
Skadi look to her and saw the little girl had some protection but can easily deal with it as she quickly drew an arrow, with a strange looking head as it wasn't an arrowhead at all but a blunt flat iron head of sort as she fired it, setting it soring as it hit the monkey head on as it knock the monkey off of the girl as it cry out a bit with the girl cry out, "Lou!"
"Hold it!" Skadi said as she had a new arrow ready to use and point it at her as the elf girl stop in her tracks as Skadi said, "Don't worry about your friend, he is more or less stun, no real damage to him, but we didn't come here to fight, lower your staff."
"W-what are you here for?" the elf girl said a bit worry and scared as she was never in this sort of poison as she saw she was surrounded, with Skadi aiming at her from up front with Goldie ready to fight behind her and knew if she run, she would most like left her friend behind which she doesn't want to do as Skadi said, "I have come seeking out the elves for a peace treaty, as I understand this forest here is a part of their territory, but it's close to my village, meaning its apart of my village area as well, that also mean it would lead to a conflict as if we don't settle it now, we would be fighting each other or worst."
"I- I see so your apart of that village that appeared out of nowhere then?" the girl said as Skadi nodded and said, "Correct, as my entire village was transported from one place to another without knowing where it would end up at, as you can say we had landed there by accident as the transport wasn't my doing."
"I think I understand, but why have a peace treaty with us? Why not attack us and just take the land for yourselves?" The girl said as Skadi said, "Only barbaric people would do such thing, me and my people knows better than that, we do not mean any harm but living so close to each other would cause a lot of problem which I do not wish to come, so I have come here to meet with the leaders of your people to try and have peace talks with them to live in harmony with one another as well do trade and other good with one another."
"I see, I'm sorry that I attacked you as I thought you were trying to harm the forest, seeing her large axe," the girl said looking to Goldie and her large war axe which Skadi said, "No we have not… but I would suggest the elves to some periodic thinning of said trees, or else the forest would destroy itself."
"W-what do you mean?" the girl ask a bit confused as Skadi sighed a bit as she look around and saw a small tree sapling and said, "Come here and I'll show you."
The girl look to Skadi as she walk over to a small sapling and said, "See this little one, I would say it's about a few years old, but it's in a pretty shady area where sun light won't hit it, not to mention with thick growth above, it would hardly let any rain fall down and in only a selected area, as if this happen the land won't be saturated properly and would cause the land to get very muddy and could cause a massive landslide, with many unnecessary damage to not only the forest but the growth of it as well."
"I- I didn't know such a thing was possible, but I have heard stories of the forest becoming angry with the elves for letting human destroy it and cause disaster to punish us," the girl said as Skadi shake her head a bit as she said, "I think that what they want to believe, as natural disasters happens all the time if people does something or not as here another example as if trees are close to each other their root would get entangle with one other causing them to fight over the spot but would most likely to wither and die due to both of them constricted each other thus leading them break down, all of their color and bark would turn to gray as a sigh of a dead tree."
"I… I have seen such thing around, but I thought someone had poison them, but how to tells it make sense," the girl said as Skadi said, "Yeah, but I would say this area of the forest is okay for the time being but within 5 to 10 years this place could slowly die out if the trees aren't properly thinned out."
"I would tell my master, but I know if she would approve of it or not," the girl said as Skadi soon said to her, "How about this, bring me your master and we could have a proper talks, of having a peace treaty first before discussing of forest thinning."
"Alright," the girl said as Skadi came up to her and said, "One more thing I forgot to introduce myself earlier, "I'm Skadi the Mystic Lunar Archer."
"I'm Nowa, the guardian of the forest," Nowa introduce herself as Skadi nodded and points over to Goldie and introduce her as well as she said, "A pleasure Nowa, and I this here is my friend and ally, and this is Goldie the Gold Ranger, she is a friend and a protector of nature herself, believe it or not."
"Y-you are?" Nowa said a bit surprise that Goldie is a protector of nature herself as Goldie was holding Nowa's monkey friend seeing that he was alright as she handed the monkey to Nowa as she smile and said, "That right, I just love the outdoor and life as well, I may carry an axe, but it only mean for those who wish to cause harm, and here I help out your little friend here, he should be alright, no wound at all."
"Thank you," Nowa said as she took Lou back and smile to this as she is glad there are human out there who are nice and good, and she hope that her master would approve of them.
(Scene Break The Elven Forest)
Nowa took Skadi and Goldie to her home where her master would come by sometimes to help her train or talk while enjoying each other company, as Skadi notice that Nowa's home wasn't in the elf village itself, it was near but not in it, which got her thinking that Nowa isn't well liked or something of the sort.
The home was a modest one from what Skadi could see no doubt any of her belongings had to be handmade here in the Elven Forest. Goldie was playing with the monkey Lou as Skadi was exploring the house for a bit. "Sorry if it's not welcoming only my teacher ever shows up here." Nowa said as she smiled at Skadi and Goldie.
"It's fine how long should we wait for her?" Skadi asked with a calm tone in her voice.
"She should be around soon enough." Nowa said assuring Skadi that her instructor should appear soon.
"Very well." Skadi said with a nod before she took her leave of the house.
During this Nowa looked to Skadi with awe as she knew she was from the new village nearby. "So, are you from that village right the one that suddenly showed up one day?" Nowa asked as she looked to Skadi with awe.
"Yes, my people had journeyed a long way to find a place to set down our roots." Skadi said using the cover story she had forged for this meeting. "When I got word of our scouts meeting with a humanoid attacker, I suspected it was either bandits or that we had neighbors." Skadi went on to the younger girl in front of her. "It was fortunate that it was neighbors and not bandits as I feared." Skadi as she would have said slavers, but Skadi did not wish to cause unneeded panic in the Elven Girl protecting the forest.
"I'll be outside if you have need of me." Skadi said taking her leave of the small house. Once Skadi was outside, she walked to the side and leaned herself against the wall. Skadi noted that the house was typical of what she would expect from a fantasy elven home, houses built into trees.
Still as she leaned against the tree she then sighed when she felt a familiar presence make itself known. "Well look who showed up." Skadi said with a calm tone in her voice.
"Hey there Skadi." Marianne greeted with a slightly nervous smile on her face. "So, I got to tell you something and don't get mad but..." Marianne began which Skadi sighed to this. "Ok here it is, I tried to prank Dilan and accidentally sent him halfway across the planet." Marianne admitted to the archer.
Well now Skadi was annoyed but she figured Dilan may have done something without thinking. "Is that all you came to tell me?" Skadi asked with a raised brow to Marianne.
"Wait you're not mad?" Marianne asked hopeful on her part.
"No, I am mad and annoyed, and figuring out why Dilan didn't look before acting." Skadi said wanting to ring her friend's neck later when she finds him. "But right now, I can't do anything about it except force you to find him or wait for him to show up." Skadi said with a scowl on her face.
"Great thing you mention that, just before your fight with Nyx he actually made it to the continent." Marianne reported as she laughed nervously. "Head Angel has been on my case about this seeing as you three are kind of my responsibility." Marianne added as she smiled to the pactmaker of the Moon Maiden. "I can't afford another mark like this or she's going to ground me." Marianne bemoaned as she knew she was in hot waters as is.
"If you get into trouble this much, I'm surprise she hasn't fired you yet." Skadi mused while she directed her attention back to the forest.
"She would but I'm the only angel who can jump worlds so in case we need to pull an Isekai I'm the girl to call." Marianne boasted with a grin on her face.
"So, because you're the only one who can do a certain thing your literally termination proof." Skadi said recalling her old life where she wished she had a skillset that was rare and prevented her from being fired. The things she could say to coworkers without fear would make her responsible for fifty some people quitting.
"Yeah, well anyway just had to give you this update going to visit Aster next." Marianne said as she then summoned her magic to float up into the air. "Got to go, bye." Marianne said and thus flew off back to the sky where the Head Angel would no doubt be waiting for her.
"What an odd angel." Skadi said while watching Marianne fly off. With a sigh Skadi focused once more to what she knows and what she's planning on. Securing the Elves as allies would open an avenue for wood and what not for her village. More so it would allow for an increase in archers and magic casters as well assuming that these Elves were like how media tends to portray them back home. More so with a trade deal between the two villages it might allow Skadi's hometown access to resources that were not originally available in any of the three White Knight Chronicles games.
Just then Skadi heard movement and in turn avoided being pinned by a staff when she moved her hand to deflect a staff strike. She spun around and then held her knife against her attack revealing it to be another elf. There was a key difference between Nowa and this new Elf as Skadi noted how this elf's ears were longer than Nowa's own ears. This new elf was noted to be wearing a lot of green with a large cape draped over her shoulders and around her neck.
"Who are you?" The new Elf asked glaring at Skadi.
"I'm Skadi I come from the new village nearby and came here as a guest." Skadi said making clear that she came in peace. "Who are you?" Skadi asked looking over to the new elf.
However, before the elf could respond a new voice cut in getting their attention. "Teacher!" Nowa was heard as she had come out and saw her instructor there.
"Nowa who are these people?" The Elf asked as Skadi backed off to give this new Elf some space.
"They told me that they're from the new village that showed up." Nowa sad with a smile on her face. "They want to have peaceful relations with the Elven Forest." Nowa finished with a smile on her face.
"We mean no harm." Skadi said as she held her hands up as an act of peace. "My people and I simply wish for cooperation and coexistence seeing as my village is close to where your Elven Village is located." Skadi said calmly to the elf. "Some of our scouts and hunters had been attacked as well and that was how we discovered we had neighbors." Skadi as thus Nowa realized what this meant.
"Sorry... that was my doing." Nowa said as the Elf then glared at Nowa with a stern look.
"Nowa, you receive a five for that." The Elf said which seem to make Nowa a tad bit upset but the other Elf was right.
"Anyway." Skadi began as she got the group back on track. "I'm." Skadi began but the new Elf cut her off with her own introduction.
"Skadi, the Mystical Lunar Archer." The Elf said as she already knew who Skadi was seeing as she was in a Queens Blade fight earlier.
"You know me already?" Skadi asked surprised by this sudden revelation.
"We saw your battle the other day." The Elven woman said lowering her staff but kept her guard up. "I'm Alleyne, Combat Instructor." The Elf now known as Alleyne introduced while looking to Skadi with a glare.
"Combat Instructor, Alleyne." Skadi repeated as she investigated the Elf before her. 'Dammit and just after Marianne had already left.' Skadi mentally bemoaned realizing that her source of information about Alleyne flew off to get her ass tanned by her boss over her prank on Dilan.
"So, your village is the one that suddenly appeared." Alleyne said giving Skadi a skeptical look showing clear distrust in the pactmaker.
"Yes, and I'll repeat myself we mean no harm to you and your own, all we want is a place to set down our roots." Skadi said repeating her story to Alleyne. "It's for that reason I feel cooperation and coexistence is our best bet to avoid any nasty responses from either side." Skadi said hoping to convince Alleyne to let her speak with her Elven Elders or whatever they have for the Elven leadership.
"You should know that Elves and humans have a very strained relationship." Alleyne said with a glare at the archer before her.
"From what I understand humans had treated the Elves poorly, enslaved them, raped them, and several other less than humane acts." Skadi said as she was calm when she showed what she knew. "Make no mistake I find what humans did to your people in the past to be horrible so you can be assured I won't justify any acts like that." Skadi calmly said as she needed Alleyne to take her to speak with the Elven Elders.
"If that is the case you can understand why I'd be hesitant to bring you to the village." Alleyne countered as while she wanted to believe that Skadi wanted peace the Elves had suffered enough by the hands of humans. Their history had been lost due to the cruelties humankind had inflicted upon them.
"But his may also be the first step of making amends and healing those wounds." Skadi offered which had Alleyne thinking for a moment.
"I think we should at least give her the benefit of the doubt, Teacher." Nowa said hoping that Alleyne would at least let Skadi speak with the Elders.
"And if I do take you there, and the elders refuse your offer what then?" Alleyne asked as she glared at Skadi.
"Then I'll make it clear where the boarders are you don't cross without permission, and we won't cross without permission." Skadi said making herself clear of what is to happen. "If we can't coexist and live together peacefully then at the very least, we can tolerate each other and avoid any direct confrontations." Skadi added before giving Alleyne a cold glare. "But know this regardless of what your Elders say my people and I are not leaving our homes." Skadi finished making it clear that her people will fight to protect their homes to their dying breaths.
Alleyne looked to Skadi for a moment as the Elven Combat Instructor took Skadi's words into consideration. Alleyne could sense it, Skadi held back against Nowa earlier. Skadi had great power in her at the very least she was not someone the Elves wanted as an enemy. From the flip side it seems that Skadi did not want to be made an enemy either nor for the Elves to become an enemy to her. She's thinking of her people so at the very least Alleyne should give her an inch.
"Very well." Alleyne said as she lowered her staff. "I'll allow for you to meet with the Elders." Alleyne said which caused Goldie to smile over the revelation.
"Thank you, I promise that you will not regret this." Skadi said as she lowered her hands to a calmer stance.
"See to it that I don't." Alleyne said and thus the group was on the way to meet with the Elders of the Elven Village.
(Scene Break the Elven Village)
Skadi eventually arrived at her destination with Goldie by her side. The pair had followed the lead of Alleyne and her student Nowa towards the Elven Village. Upon arrival they were met with the stares and glances of the Elves who were roaming the Village carrying out their day-to-day lives. Skadi knew that they had not seen a human for a long time and wanted to avoid giving them another bad experience with humans.
At the moment Skadi stood in front of the Elven Elders with Alleyne off to the side watching the proceedings between the two. Skadi had just finished up telling her story to the Elders and at no point did Alleyne see her deviate from when she had told it to Alleyne and Nowa earlier.
"So, you can understand why I would prefer for us to be welcoming neighbors instead of hostile ones." Skadi said as she stood before the Elven Elders.
"That is certainly a tale." One of the Elders began after Skadi had pleaded her case to the Elves.
"And we have much to consider but try to understand we must think of our own people's wellbeing first." Another said which Skadi nodded in understanding.
"I understand completely I'm doing the same and I swear to you that we mean you no harm." Skadi said knowing full well she needed this alliance to succeed if her village was to make its home here. "If you wish it so, I will leave to give you all time to deliberate and take my offer into consideration." Skadi said and thus the Elven Elders knew they needed to think about this.
"IF you would please." Another said and thus Skadi nodded and took her leave of the meeting to give the Elven Elders time to consider her proposition. Alleyne followed after Skadi acting as her escort while in the Elven Village.
Leaving the room Skadi was quickly met with Goldie who had accompanied her into the Elven Village. "How do you think it went?" Goldie asked as she was concerned for the villagers.
"Not sure." Skadi began with a calm tone in her voice. "All we can do is wait and see what happens." Skadi added as she walked out and was followed by Alleyne. Goldie sighed and in turn followed after Skadi hoping that the Elven Elders would take Skadi up on her offer.
(Later in the Elven Village)
Skadi was waiting to be called back in for the meeting to hear the Elven Elders decision on Skadi's proposition. With Skadi Goldie was also there sitting on the ledge swinging her legs gently with a happy tune being hummed. As Skadi waited however, she looked down to where she could see Nowa. The Guardian of the Forest was by herself with only her Monkey Lou to keep her company. Skadi was not blind she had long since noted the looks the Elves were giving her when she came in. Those looks seemed to also apply to Nowa and it made Skadi suspect that Nowa having her home outside the village was not a simple coincidence.
"I see you've begun to notice." Alleyne was heard as she suddenly began to approach Skadi.
"Yes, Nowa is isolated." Skadi said as Goldie nodded to this as she had seen it too. "She wasn't made the Guardian of the Forest simply because she was a skilled fighter, was she?" Skadi asked as she looked over to Alleyne.
"No, she was not." Alleyne said not even denying it. Skadi suspected there was a story there and felt compelled to ask. But before Skadi could even ask Alleyne continued and told the tale herself. "In the past we Elves retreated to the Forest to escape the cruelty of humans." Alleyne said with a calm tone in her voice. "We Elves live a long time so we in turn have long memories to go with them." Alleyne added as Skadi began to suspect where this was going.
"Nowa has human blood in her... she's half elf and half human." Skadi said realizing where this story was going.
"Yes." Alleyne said not even denying it. Goldie gasped in shock when she heard this not realizing that Nowa's isolation was due to that.
"I see now, the village does not trust her because of her mixed blood." Skadi said before looking back down over to Nowa. "She does not belong in either world because of her dual heritage and out of everyone here you are the only one who sees her for who she is not where she came from." Skadi said causing Alleyne to blush a bit at the description. "Don't get flustered I know you care for her even if you don't show it so easily." Skadi said with a smirk on her face showing she could see right through Alleyne.
"I fear that there may come a day when the villagers or even the Elders may force Nowa to leave." Alleyne said which was a good fear to have. "Preparing her for the world outside is all I can do until that day comes." Alleyne said showing she deeply cared for her protege.
"Let's just hope it never comes to that." Goldie said as she didn't want to see Nowa get hurt by what laid outside of her forest home. "That girl is too pure for this world." She added which was a sentiment that they can all agree on with describing Nowa.
"If we don't want it to come to that then we need your Elders to agree to my offer, Alleyne." Skadi said hoping that the Elven Elders would agree to Skadi's offer for Nowa's sake. "I fear that they are just looking for an excuse at this point." Skadi said adding in her own concerns.
(Meanwhile the Swamp Lands Border)
Melona scowled as she glared at the Elven Forest beyond the border of the Marsh Lands. She knew that the Swamp Witch wanted to expand her domain to that area. But Melona also knew of another reason that she had to go there. There was another competitor of the Queens Blade in that area one her mistress wanted the slime girl to focus on.
She saw how that archer had taken out Nyx in the fight and knew that this made Skadi someone of note. Still, having her this close made things far easier for Melona to handle. Thus, as she made her way to her target Melona knew that things were going to get interesting real soon. Still her mind went back to that boy and his white knight, she had never seen that sort of power before, but she needed a way to defeat it.
The Swamp Witch warned her not to underestimate the Knights power like last time. Melona took her mistresses word to heart and would not make the same mistake that she made last time. Still whatever kind of power that boy had it may be smart to bring him in alive to figure out its source and what it can truly do. It almost made Melona excited for when she found that boy and his knight again, more so if he was travelling with Leina.
(Later at the Elven Forest)
The waiting was starting to ease towards the afternoon as Skadi was still waiting for the decision of the Elven Elders. Goldie was nearby interacting with Nowa as the two seemed to be laughing about something one of them had said. Alleyne was still keeping an eye on everything while Skadi herself was checking her current supply of arrows. She had a good amount thus far, but Skadi felt it may be smart for her to switch to one of her magic based bows seeing as those bows do not require her to use actual arrows. It would be practical seeing as she was considered a competitor for the Queens Blade now.
But as she waited a dark wind blew by that caused her eyes to widen in shock. Nowa and Goldie also sensed it as Skadi saw them both get up. Looking over to Alleyne Skadi saw the Elven Combat Instructor was on edge like she was. There was an attacker that was approaching the Elven Village.
"The forest is in danger." Nowa said and thus she got moving.
"Wait for me!" Goldie cried out as she gave chase to Nowa. Skadi and Alleyne both jumped down knowing that whatever was causing the chaos needed to be dealt with immediately. If they moved fast enough, they might be able to intercept it before any lasting damage can occur.
(With Melona in the Forest)
In the Elven Forest Melona lead a small group of monsters through as they attacked anything in sight. This caused many of the woodland creatures to flee in fear and terror from the monster forces. "Find the new Fighter." Melona said as she recalled her mistresses' orders. "Well, she was last seen near here and the Swamp Witch wanted to expand her territory, two birds, one stone." Melona quipped as she worked on trying to draw out this archer.
But before her forces could go any further a barrage of arrows flew in and her monsters with some being fatal and others being flesh wounds. Just then Nowa came down and with a mighty roar swung her staff against Melona who easily dodged the attack. "Who dares?" Melona growled as she glared at the source.
"We dare." Skadi said as she stepped into the light with another arrow notched up ready to fire. Alleyne was also here as she glared at Melona.
Melona smiled seeing all of her targets in one place. "Well, if it isn't my lucky day, Combat Instructor Alleyne and the new girl Skadi the Mystic Lunar Archer." Melona said as Skadi glared at the slime monster before her.
"Do I know you, monster?" Skadi asked with a raised brow.
"Monster?" Melona asked as her eye twitched and her teeth grinded upon that word. "Did you just call me a monster?" Melona asked showing that the slime girl was clearly upset by what, Skadi had just called her.
"Did I stutter?" Skadi asked as she saw an Achillies heel that can be exploited from this foe.
"I'm going to make you regret those words you little bitch!" Melona yelled and charged at Skadi who then released the arrow she was piercing into the slime. Melona cried out but more out of shock then in pain. The slime girl then broke her body apart unaware of the smirk that Skadi had. "Is that all you got?" Melona taunted as she reformed just after Skadi let loose another arrow.
Melona formed around the arrow and when she did the spell it carried went off. Melona cried out as parts of her body froze curtesy of Skadi's ice arrow. Melona cried out in pain as Skadi jumped over the charging Melona before delivering a kick shattering the ice. Melona broke apart and discarded the frozen part of her form and when she reformed, she looked shock at what just happened.
"Surprised?" Skadi taunted as she had her next set of arrows at the ready.
'Those initial arrows were decoy shots; her actual attack was to make me reform myself around an arrow imbued with ice magic.' Melona mentally recounted to herself recalling how she fell for the trap. 'She instigated me to make me fight in her favor.' Melona went on realizing she had to be careful with how she fought Skadi.
"Alright here's the deal, Goldie, you, Nowa, and Alleyne deal with the grunts. I'll deal with the monster leading them." Skadi said with a plan that she intended to carry it out.
"You won't get away from me!" Melona called out only to be hit by several more arrows all of them were imbued with the same ice magic from before. Melona in turn cried out in pain before she was forced to break her body apart to discard the frozen parts of it. As Melona reformed Alleyne, Goldie, and Nowa went after the monsters to help stim the tide and send Melona running back to the Swamp Lands.
Once the three other warriors made it Skadi continued her assault. The Pactmaker jumped over the area Melona began to reform from and fired off several fire arrows around her. The Fire Magic was explosive in origins as they went off in a blazing fury around Melona. The smoke formed around Melona and Skadi was ready for whatever came next. Just then acidic liquid shot out from the smoke forcing the wide-eyed Skadi to avoid it. Moving out of the way Skadi succeeded only to for Melona to jump out of the smoke towards Skadi with a slime sword pointed at the archer.
Skadi managed to avoid the attack and drew her dagger stabbing it into Melona's side. The Slime cried out in pain before she broke her body down and changed her tactics on Skadi. Skadi was forced to get distance as Melona shot an explosive chemical from her breasts via the nipples that exploded. Skadi managed to avoid it, but Melona fired the acidic attack this time and Skadi was only barely able to avoid it. When she got out of the way Skadi saw her clothing was melting revealing her breasts underneath them.
Cursing her luck Skadi focused on the fight opting to worry about her exposed breast after the battle. "Not so tough now, are you?" Melona taunted as she moved in on Skadi. Skadi smirked and moved around Melona charging an arrow with magic before stabbing it into her back. The arrow had fire magic active and just as Skadi moved out of the way Melona exploded scattering her slime form around the battleground. Being a slime allowed Melona advantages, however. So as Melona was reforming her body, she was seen glaring at Skadi who smirked at the bunny eared slime.
"Little bitch!" Melona yelled and thus went on the attack angry and forgetting that Skadi had outsmarted her twice in this fight.
Meanwhile with the other fight Alleyne, Goldie, and Nowa were making quick work of the monsters Melona brought with her. Goldie and her axe proved themselves to be powerful when it came to their raw power while Alleyne and Nowa relied on their speed. However still being inexperienced in comparison to Alleyne, Nowa was having Lou cover her to keep any possible attacks from landing.
Goldie roared as she chopped a monster in two while Alleyne bashed through a few of them with her staff. At the same time Nowa moved in and kept the fight going shattering her foes with powerful blows of her own staff. The battle was going in their favor at first as it seemed that they would actually win this and send Melona running to the hills.
But then Lou began to screech which got Nowa's attention. "What's wrong Lou?" Nowa asked and in turn Nowa looked and saw a massive form stalking in the shadows of the trees. Nowa saw how it was moving towards Skadi as Melona was leading the fight towards it without tipping off Skadi if able.
When Skadi was literally in its grasp Nowa had to act. "Ms. Skadi, look out!" Nowa cried out but alas her warning came too late.
Skadi heard the warning too late and was then grabbed from behind by a massive creature. Skadi cried out in shock as she was pulled in by her attacker. The attacker was revealed to be a large monster that had hands made of tentacles as it looked to be sitting with its legs crossed on air. Its head was without eyes, or a mouth as said eyes hovered next to the head like aspect with two serpent creatures on either side of it. Its stomach on the other hand was where the mouth was located and needless to say this mouth was quiet large.
"Did you honestly think I wouldn't come here without some added insurance?" Melona taunted as she smirked up at Skadi. Skadi meanwhile was struggling to get free of the creatures hands as they wrapped around her rubbing themselves all over her body. It went between her legs, across her breasts, into the gap between her mounds, and even across her nipples. Skadi cried out as she tried to get free from the creatures grip. "It's called a demi fiend in case you're wondering, the Swamp Witch summoned it and let me have a go with it." Melona went on as she smiled maliciously at Skadi with her taunts.
"You bitch!" Skadi cursed before she cried out further as the creature began to tighten its grip on her.
"Don't fight it, I'm sure it will enjoy whatever you have to offer." Melona said before she began to laugh haughtily at Skadi. Skadi cried out as she felt her body was being restrained as the tentacles were restraining her in a borderline shibari. The difference between the regular shibari was that instead of ropes she was wrapped in tentacles.
"Skadi!" Goldie cried out as she saw Skadi was in trouble. But the monsters Melona brought prevented them from coming to her rescue.
"Go ahead keep struggling for me!" Melona taunted further as Skadi tried to free herself from the creature. Skadi's legs were being spread as her hands were restrained behind her back. Nearby her bow was dropped as this also left Skadi without a weapon to use.
"N-noo!" Skadi cried out and soon enough as if an act of providence something happened. Skadi's forced pose caused a reaction as a light shined from between her legs that blinded Melona and forced the Demi-Fiend to let go of her from the pain.
"Impossible! A Holy Pose?!" Melona asked shocked at what she saw happened.
Skadi hit the ground with a hard crash as she quickly began to regain herself. Seeing the Demifiend Skadi rolled over to her dropped bow and acted fast by notching up several arrows at once and firing them all. The Arrows hit their target as the Demifiend was riddled with the weapons causing it pain.
Not one to kiss a gift horse like this Skadi fired more arrows this time at Melona. Melona was forced to avoid them as she glared at Skadi. "You, I don't know you did that, but I won't let it go unpunished!" Melona yelled as she glared at Skadi.
"You won't have a choice." Skadi said as she put her bow away. "I'm done playing around." Skadi said and thus she knew the time was now. Focusing her power magic formed around Skadi as a magenta-colored aura formed before her taking the form of a new bow.
In turn Skadi began the chant as she held her hand to the arks handle ready to use it. "O Luthea, Argent Goddess and beacon in the Ancient Night." Skadi began as her eyes were closed for this.
"No not another one!" Melona cried out realizing what this meant for her. "Stop her!" Melona cried out refusing to let another Knight enter the battle.
"Grant me your power." Skadi finished with her eyes flashing open and taking the Ark in her hand. She notched an arrow of pure magic before aiming it to the sky with the bow string also being formed from magic. "VERTO!" Skadi called out as the crest flashed before it split open to allow the arrow to fly out.
The Demi Fiend tried to stop Skadi but all it managed was getting hit by the arrow knocking it back as said arrow flew to the sky. Once it reached high enough it burst forth creating the image of a moon for a brief moment. Soon the moon sent down magic towards Skadi that formed into a mystic circle around her feet like that of a flower. Skadi bowed for a moment like she was bowing to a crowd before rising back up and spreading her left arm out.
At the same time that Skadi rose so too did the Moon Maiden as it rose up behind her answering her Pactmakers call. The Moon Maiden was mirroring Skadi's movement before the two finished the merge becoming one. The Moon Maidens Eyes flashed to life before taking her bow and taking a battle stance ready to fight.
"A Faye!" Alleyne gasped as she saw the Moon Maiden make its appearance.
"So pretty!" Nowa said in awe at the splendor of the Moon Maiden.
"She's using it just as Marianne said." Goldie said as she saw that Skadi was no longer pulling her punches.
"Let's finish this!" Skadi called out and thus the next bout began. Skadi with her Moon Maiden charged into battle as the Demi Fiend did the same once it regained itself. Skadi acted first by firing off a few arrows of magical energy at her foe. The Arrows hit their target resulting in the Demi Fiend being knocked back a bit. Skadi then fired a more powerful arrow that hit her target forcing it to get on its feet instead of hovering in the air. The moment its feet touched the ground Skadi was on it and bashed it with her Knights bow sending it tumbling back. But as it stumbled back the two serpents that hovered near it launched at the Moon Maiden with intent to attack.
Skadi managed to fight off the first one, but this left her open for the second one. It wrapped its body around her Knights form as the head hissed at Skadi with its demonic eye gleaming with malice. Skadi growled before she focused her magic for another attack. If her hunch was right this snake needs to cool down for a nap. Soon enough from under her feet Skadi unleashed an ice attack that hit the snake and her knight as well.
Thankfully, she used a lower setting for it to avoid harming herself, but the serpent was not so lucky. Once the Moon Maiden was freed Skadi once more went in for the attack as she ran around her foe firing off magic arrows while keeping it from securing its defense. The Demi Fiend roared and attack sending a mass of magma from its mouth, but the Moon Maiden avoided it and fired off another arrow at the open maw. The Demi Fiend roared in pain with the arrow in its mouth as Skadi saw her chance to end this.
Skadi flew to the sky showing that her Knight was capable of flight much like the Dragon Knight. She then began to rain down mana arrows upon her foe making sure they had enough magic to stay there even after the shots hit. One by one the Demi Fiend found its limbs being skewered and pinned as the she rained terror from above. Soon enough it was time for the final shot as Skadi charged up a more powerful arrow and aimed it directly at the Demi Fiend.
As the magic began to reach its apex Skadi had one final thing to say to her foe. "Go to hell." Skadi said and thus she fired the arrow down on the monster. The arrow hit its target before it went off in a blazing explosion of magic and power. Luthea hovered over the ground zero as she saw that her foe had been defeated once and for all.
On the ground Melona saw this and knew she had to make a break for it. Breaking down her body Melona fled to return to the Swamp Witch and report of her failure once more. But she will find the fact there are other Knights to be of interest. For now, all she can do was run for it and hope she can make it back to avoid punishment.
(Scene Break The Elven Village)
After the battle Skadi was once more at the Elven Village as she leaned against the wall waiting to be called in. Hovering nearby was Marianne as she had arrived a little bit after the battle. "So, you did a Holy Pose." Marianne said as she explained thing to Skadi.
"Yeah, how is that possible?" Skadi said as such a move was not available in White Knight Chronicles due to both rating and mechanics restricting such moves.
"Adaptation." Marianne said as she got down to it. "Or a version of it." She added which Skadi paid attention. "If I had brought you guys here as you are the universe would literally do everything in its power to remove you." Marianne said as she got down to it. "It's a multiversal law any universe you enter your body changed or original adopts certain aspects of said world." Marianne said revealing what she knows. "The changes can be small like a birthmark or an allergy or big like being able to use an ability you never had before as long as its noticeable enough then the universal forces that control this reality won't try to remove you." Marianne said as she put it into perspective.
"I see so my changes were access to the magics for the Holy Poses." Skadi said as this opened a new avenue for study.
"Exactly." Marianne said before she got down to it. "So do you plan to explore your Holy Pose magic?" Marianne asked as she offered a book to Skadi.
Opening the book Skadi was wide eyed at what was inside it with her face turning beat red. "Nope!" Skadi announced as she slammed the book shut. "Absolutely not." Skadi said while storing the book away for later.
"If you're not keeping it, then why are you storing it away." Marianne teased as she hovered away with a knowing smile of mischief on her face. But before Skadi could retort two things happened, first being that Marianne was already escaping and the second was the door opening for her. Regaining herself Skadi was allowed entry as it was time for the moment of truth.
Entering the room Skadi was met once more with the Elven Elders. "Ms. Skadi, was it?" One of the Elders began as Skadi nodded to him. "Yes of course we've taken time to consider your offer and after the recent assault by the Swamp Witches forces, we've come to a decision." The Elven Leader said getting down to it. "We've decided to agree to your terms." The Elder finished and thus Skadi nodded to the Elven Council.
"Thank you, I swear to you all here and now you won't regret it." Skadi said smiling for the first time since meeting with the Elves. Outside the room Nowa, Alleyne, and Goldie were all listening in and knew that this would be the start of a beautiful friendship between the two villages.
"See to it that we don't." Another Elder said as they were giving this human a chance mainly after they bore witness to the Silver Goddess Luthea, the Moon Maiden.
(Meanwhile with Marianne)
Marianne was hovering in the sky as she smiled at the scene. "Well, that's all three of them." She said with a parchment in hand that she crossed off the third name on the list of Knights. "Suck it sis I win!" Marianne boasted with a smile on her face. "Now I to head to the Archangel and let her know on my progress for the Queens Blade." Marianne said while flying back up to the heavens. However unknown to her she was very wrong in assuming that her sister was already beaten.
(Deep in the Marshlands)
A young man was seen relaxing on a throne as hovering before him was a massive orb, the same one used to display the Queens Blade. This young man seemed calm as he rested his head on his right fist with his eyes closed. Upon closer inspecting the young man had wild silver hair that went down to his shoulders that went well with his pale skin. It was clear that he was not from this world for as he stood up, he revealed his outfit.
This young man was seen wearing the Balista light armor set. He even had the cape that went with it to bring the outfit together. In his hand was his weapon of choice the Staff of Anata. When this figure opened his eyes the carried a blazing orange as if the sun had become his irises burning with his intense ambition. But to truly show his stature he had a crown upon his head a Royal Crown in fact. While it was not official yet, but this young man had every intention of taking this world for himself. As the bearer of the most powerful of the Five Knights it was his divine right.
Just then a new figure appeared and as she entered the room, she was noted to have a striking resemblance to Marianne. But unlike the Angel her wings were black and unlike the playful mischief of the angel this fallen angel had a glint of malice, ambition, and sadism. "Galvus." The Fallen Angel greeted kneeling to the soon to be ruler of the world.
"Ciela, I suspect you've been busy." Galvus said to the Fallen Angel as he glanced at her offering his hand to her.
"Of course." Ciela said as she looked up to the ruler. She took his hand and offered it a chaste kiss before glancing up at him. "I've been working on connecting with old contacts preparing them for your rise." Ciela said as the Fallen Angel remained loyal... for now. Just then the doors opened and from their Ciela smiled at the new arrival. "Speak of the devil." Ciela said as she looked to the new arrivals. "My lord meet Dora and her vampire servant Lamica." Ciela said introducing the two new arrivals by gesturing her arm to the two women.
The first was a busty young woman with long red hair pulled by a band wearing all black and had a strange dagger hanging from her side. This maroon haired woman was clearly a sorceress which Galvus took note of. This one was clearly Dora which meant her companion was non-other than Lamica.
Lamica was wearing an outfit that Galvus recognized as one that belongs to an Idol Group from Japan. If not that then in an anime with a character similar to her. Despite her appearance Galvus suspected her to be powerful in her own right and was one to keep on his side for the time being.
Regardless he was grateful that he had these two to arrive if what Ciela said was true then they would be useful to his cause. Dora was a powerful sorceress and would be beneficial in magical research. After all, to conquer you must constantly create new more powerful weapons before your enemies can adapt to the ones you have. Lamica on the other hand would prove useful to act as something of a spy seeing as he already had an enforcer on the payroll.
"No offense my liege." Dora began as she noticed someone was missing. "But I was under the assumption there was supposed to be three of us here." Dora said as she knew Ciela served as Galvus' advisor.
"She has prior engagements to deal with chief of them being her role in the Queen's Blade." Galvus said calmly as Dora saw what Galvus was planning. Make his servant the next Queen and in turn Galvus would rule Gainos through her, cleaver.
"Who is this fighter?" Dora asked as she was curious as to who Galvus was banking everything on.
"Katarina the Dark Phoenix." Galvus said and thus they wondered who Katarina was.
(Meanwhile Deep in the desert)
A young woman was seen in a desert village as she grinned to herself. The young woman had crimson red eyes, and lightly tanned skin. Her hair was blond that was pulled into a bun in the back but had her bangs framing her narrow face perfectly. She was seen wearing the Spectre Armour with the associated Archphantom gauntlets, Archphantom Breachers, and the Archphantom Boots. On her back was a purple cloak simply for the style of it for when her foes see her. Her weapon of choice was a Longsword Katana and the type currently resting on her side was the Ethereal Splitter.
As she got ready to leave, she knew what her goal was. Fight in the Queens Blade, find the other Knights, and win the Queens Blade to deliver Gainos to the one who would rule all. To create utopia the world must be united and for that to happen it can only be done through force from a position of power. This was none other than Katarina as she rose to the challenge ready to depart. First the Knights, then the Queen's Blade, and then a new empire.
(TBC)
ESKK: Well, another chapter is done, my co-writer and I both hope you enjoyed it and will join us again for Chapter 4. Now then you all know the drill leave a review and as I always say here, Ja-ne.