Yggdrasil's Ace

Chapter 7

Author Notes: Welp. We got some heart to heart between our two heroes...time to mess that up with some chaos. Also I know I put it in the ending author notes but thanks everyone who has been reading and enjoying the story so far~

Due to school(and my co-author) i've been just uploading stories instead of writing, which my workaholic brain and hands both hate and appreciate the break. So knowing you guys are liking it is really helping with taking that break...as far as fanfiction goes.

We'll see how assignments and my upcoming holiday hell goes in the upcoming weeks. Anyhoo let's get on with it shall we? As per usual, for the sake of making sure people know-I do not own Dragon Quest

3rd P.O.V

Though they tried their hardest to be cautious while traveling...it was only a matter of time before Hendrik and his knights caught up. "Did you really think you could escape?" Sadly it was to be expected, the knights knew it was only a matter of time before the proclaimed 'Darkspawn' would desire returning home.

Erik's mouth twitched at the tin cans on horses. After getting to know Ace and have some deep heart to heart moments...she was no darkspawn. Rather it was the assholes who took everything from her-he still owed them for beating her black and blue in the dungeon now that he thought about it.

He didn't know her then, but even back then he thought the abuse she underwent was too much. Now? Well, he was seeing red. "Dammit. This isn't good." But as much as he would love for them to get close and personal with his knife there were too many.

Their teamwork was good, however it wouldn't be enough against the sheer numbers. He glances over to see his partner whistle before grabbing him by the arm. "Come on!" He heard the sound of hooves before a blinding streak of brown and black came into view.

With a huff he leaped, saddling up on a horse with surprisingly little issue. "Where'd these come from?" Was Ace some sort of animal summoner? It was no coincidence that they showed up right when they needed them.

"We've had all our horses trained to come at the sound of a whistle or bell. We don't bother with having them in stables." It was a good thing too as they made a beeline for the Door of Departure. With a flick of the reigns they flew across the fields.

The lack of metal armor and heavier weighted weapons made all the difference in speed. "Fire!" But the weapons the knights had did have their uses. Crossbows shot out dozens of arrows. Ace gasped as her horse shrieked, collapsing to the ground.

She tucked and rolled onto the dirt, wincing at the sharp pain from her chest. She was still healing. And the tumble irritated the wounds more than she liked. But considering she left despite Father Izar's wishes, she was glad. It would've broken her heart if the old man was involved.

"Seize him!" At least the layers of clothing she received from the kind priest cushioned the blow somewhat in addition to hiding her gender. Still she struggled rising to her feet. "Grab on!" She didn't need to look, but she raised her hand, her birthmark glowing slightly as their fingers interlaced.

With a grunt, Erik pulled her up behind him as they make another mad dash to their destination. "Take them out!" Another sea of arrows soared their way as they raced for the door. "Zap!" Ace tried using her magic to give them more distance. "Frizz!"

And it worked to an extent as some of soldier's horses bucked them off or raced into a different direction to avoid the spells. "Zap!" A bright blue glow caught their attention as they got closer. "Quickly! The keystone!" Not needing to be told twice she takes it out of her bag.

Watching as the door opens, glowing just as bright. "You won't escape me Darkspawn!" Erik wasn't going to let them get ahold of her. "Hya!" Not while he had anything to say about it. So he pushed his steed to its limits. They were almost there. So close that they didn't bother looking behind them.

If they did they might've been able to dodge Hendrik's attack. Another piercing scream echoed as Erik's horse went down. "Ahh!" Both of them fell, with Erik's eyes widening in concern. "Ace?!" He was immediately at her side, helping her to her feet.

His panic increasing seeing her complexion pale from the pain. "Let's go!" She pushes him forward however. Gritting her teeth she flings out her hand. "Zap!" She sent another barrage of lighting as they ran. Stalling their pursuers as long as possible.

"Come on!" They were exhausted, their legs burned, and their heart was racing a mile a minute. Their feet went two steps at a time on the stone staircase, Ace's hood falling off her shoulders. Being the faster of the two Erik entered the threshold first, pulling her in the moment their hands connected. "Zap!"

She collapsed to her knees then, her magic completely used up. "What do we do?!" It was only a single room and the door was taking its sweet time closing them in. Glaring, the thief took his stand in front of the girl.

Startling both of them as he brandished his knife. "Rubblerouser!" With a flick of his hands, he summoned his own magic. He wasn't much of a spellcaster compared to her, but it didn't stop him from making a mini barricade of jagged earth spikes.

Sweat was falling down his face as he used all of his strength to buy them that extra time. Enough for the door to shut and the two disappear in a ray of light as the raiding party reached the stone steps. It took a few seconds for Ace and Erik to find themselves in a swirling vortex of blue magic before catching their breath.

"Phew-that was way too close." Ace could only nod as she releases a shaky breath, still feeling an adrenaline rush. "You ok?" She offered him a small smile, not yet able to form coherent words. But she does accept his hand to get back to her feet, a bit unsteady. "I gotcha. Come on."

Together the pair leave the room, both blinking in surprise at the vast change in surroundings. "Where...are we?" There was no fields of grass or flowers, there weren't even trees. Empty rocky terrain that neither of them were familiar with.

And with the exception of mystified priest who stood before the Door of Departure, there was no civilization within sight. At the very least they were away from Hendrik and his men, and it was that relief that encouraged them to continue at a more easy going pace.

If for nothing else than for Ace to not jar her injuries anymore than she had already. That pace however wasn't as peaceful as they hoped when new monsters of different shapes and sizes decided to attack.

"Here we go!" Just one of the few new things to adapt to. Especially when they first came across a she-slime. These enemies were stronger than what Erik and Ace were used to. So much so that due to their low magic pools, they had to rely on the medicinal herbs and bandages they had been slowly stockpiling.

There were multiple times where they had to take a breather, and not just from the various battles they had to partake in. The weather was far sunnier and warmer than that of Heliodor. Sweat was pouring off the both of them in waves. Making their already miserable existence ten times worse.

Erik winced as he wiped his face with his already damp sleeve. He could feel his clothes sticking to him, making his face scrunch up in discomfort. He could only imagine how she was feeling. "How are you not dying in that? You're in layers right?" He turned to his partner in crime, worried..

Noting she was resting against one of the larger rocks, trying to shade herself as much as she could to stave off the heat. Her eyes were closed as she took small, quiet breaths. "Ace?" It took a minute for her to answer.

One eye peeping open to meet his gaze. "I'm getting there...slowly but surely. I can only hope we can reach some sort of town or resting area soon." He couldn't agree more. "We'll head out in a few minutes."

Those few moments were quiet, the wanted criminals having traveled and gone through enough together to where they could rest in a comfortable silence. But the time came too fast. In unison they stood, stretching their limbs and get themselves pepped up before continuing.

Much to their relief there wasn't much further for them to walk. On an old dead tree stood a sign pointing them to the right direction. "Hotto huh?" It was nice to have a name of their next destination. And it was even nicer entering it not even twenty minutes later. "Finally..."

Though the pair couldn't just quietly slip in without grabbing the townsfolk's attention. They hadn't even taken a few steps in before a man approached them with a smile. Trying to encourage them to follow him and try out the bathhouse he owned.

"We're a bit busy to be sweating...thanks anyway." While Erik was doing his utmost to dissuade the man, Ace took a long, curious gaze of the interesting architecture that took place. It was a serene place, blending nicely with nature.

"Come come, it's for free.

Wash away the dirt and smell.

Please follow me sirs."

Ace had to bite her lip, hiding a smile as her companion looked away with a blush, embarrassed at being called out for their...less than pleasant scent. "You may as well take the man up on his offer Erik, it's not every day we can get a chance to fully relax. Especially after what we went through earlier."

With that his defiant will completely crumbled away. "Fine." He was just about to take a step forward before pausing, his lips pursed as he glances back. "What about you?" The Luminary could only give a wry smile while tilting her head to the town.

"I'm not exactly a sir-so I shouldn't follow. Besides this gives me a chance to stock up on supplies and explore." A frown immediately formed on his lips. Ready to protest about them splitting up-even more so that she's not going to relax as well.

Only to stumble as the gleeful man dragged Erik away. "Ah-hey wait! Ace if I'm doing this thing then so are you!" She could only wave goodbye, unable to hide her smile anymore. "Go enjoy yourself, i'll come get you in a little bit." For a minute a sense of nostalgia hit her.

Erik reminded her of some of the kids in Cobblestone. So stubborn to get their way and unaware of getting tricked until its too late. It was kinda cute watching him pout while getting dragged off-blinking she immediately shakes her head.

Back to the task at hand. "Now...let's hope there's some better equipment and items on sale." She was eager to take in the sights, and figure out where exactly they were. Though she wouldn't say she wasn't willing to give the bathhouse a try herself as well.

to be continued

Author Notes: And we've reached Hotto. I do so hope this gets good. Happy times await~ There. I'm officially a part of the Hotto culture with my stanzas. Now...with Hotto, we know who's going to be showing up, and I can't wait.

Except i totally can since I gotta get this thing posted. Guys thank you all so much for reading the story. If you like what you're reading so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me. Tchao for now.