Yggdrasil's Ace

Chapter 9

Author Notes: We're due for an update folks~ Especially now that we have party member number three~ And that means fun arguing banter! Let's get the show on the road boys and girls. I do not own Dragon Quest.

3rd P.O.V

"The look on his face was priceless~" Veronica couldn't help grinning happily as she skipped ahead of the pair. It's been about a couple hours or so since Ace and Erik escorted her into the tavern/inn.

Ohhh she was so satisfied watching the blue haired rogue stare the employee down. Putting him in his place. Absolutely glorious. Even though her sister wasn't there like she had hoped, there still was very little that brought her mood down. "Yeah yeah, laugh it up. I still don't recall a thank you for that by the way."

She ignored the snarky male, actually looking a bit concerned as she glanced back to the swordswoman behind her. Humming to herself slightly as she takes in the girls' appearance, furrowing her eyebrows.

"How are you not boiling over in those clothes? Actually why are you wearing so much anyways? If I didn't find you in the baths I would've assumed you were a boy!" Ace glanced away, not sure how to answer. How does one go about to explain that she was self conscious of her appearance...

Fortunately Erik came to her rescue. More than willing to tell the pushy kid off. "Leave her alone. Great Goddess you're so annoy-wait what do you mean 'find you in the baths?' Why were you looking for her!?" Erik really wasn't liking the red dressed sorceress all that much.

"Because she's apparently the only one here with some sort of sense! Honestly." The blonde rolled her eyes, before giving Ace a once over again. Making the awkward tension even worse. "Can...you not stare at me please?"

At this point the Luminary was ready to clash against a monster just to do something. As she was getting increasingly uncomfortable with how hard Veronica was staring. And all because her sister decided to go to some monster's lair.

Curse her luck. "Not a very confident hero are you? Well we'll fix that soon enough. But I have to say I was actually surprised to find you in there alone. I already told you about my experience in the baths. With how strong your magic is it's short of a miracle you weren't kidnapped yourself."

A horrified expression formed on her face at the thought. "Thank Goddess that didn't happen..." To think that could've actually happened left Ace feeling ill. "Well I guess it's a good thing we're heading to do some monster hunting then." No matter what they probably would've checked it out anyways.

If not for the rumors flying than for Connie's sake. Before leaving they had searched high and low for the poor girls' father and he was nowhere to be found. The group was lucky the old man from the inn they went to was willing to watch over her until they come back.

Though it looked like they were heading in the right direction with how many stronger monsters were attacking them. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he was honestly glad Veronica was there to help back them up. Even if that help is just wacking enemies with her staff.

Another pair of eyes was always good when going into danger. Of course, he still didn't believe her being an adult let alone some all powerful sage. He's seen some crazy stuff sure, lived through all of it, but he didn't exactly trust her.

Seeing was believing after all. "You still doing ok right Ace? Injuries all healed?" She gives him a small smile. "Yeah, I did a heal spell before I entered the baths, fully closing it. I'm fine." The rogue was relieved to hear her wounds finally closed.

Still he couldn't help but be concerned. Glancing her up and down. "Don't push yourself alright? You got a bad habit of over doing it." Ace raises an eyebrow. Huffing slightly with puffed cheeks.

"I don't want to hear that from you. You're the one always trying to shield me whenever an attack is thrown my way. I'm not glass Erik, you don't need to protect me so much." For once Veronica was silent as they continued on their way, surprised with how relaxed the pair are with one another.

A strong contrast to how they react with her. No formality or caution in their words to be found. "Hey-I'm just saying you gotta be more careful. Annabell?" Ace snorts, covering her mouth to hide the sound.

Not that it worked really..."Definitely not-try again." It kinda hurt to be honest-especially considering if there was anyone Ace should've been suspicious of its Erik. She also really wanted to know why the blue haired moron kept blurting out random girl names.

"Am I getting any closer Ami?" Still, Ace had a nice smile, looking at ease as she shook her head. "Nope." No doubt there was quite the bit of history between the two, something the magician was interested in finding out...after they get Serena.

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"How do you not remember the route to the bottom floor?! If you can remember where the monster lair actually is you should know this!" Ace could only sigh as the two squabbled, not surprised in the slightest.

With their personalities, it took very little for an argument to break out. The fact they had been fighting monsters and constantly dealing with traps wasn't doing much to improve their mood. Veronica certainly wasn't happy as she tried smacking the rude boy with her staff.

Only to scowl more seeing her miss him. "Well excuse me for running for my life! You know as shocking as it is, not everyone has a perfect photographic memory when it comes to navigating caves!" Erik scowled at the short girl, rolling his eyes in frustration.

"You're just lucky that Ace is able to use her visions to help us avoid most of the trap floors. Otherwise I'd leave you here with the Drackmages! Fit right in with those blood suckers." Honestly it was like two siblings arguing with each other.

If the situation wasn't so dire in finding Veronica's sister, Ace would be laughing. It reminded her of the petty arguments Gemma would often get with her neighbor's son Cole. "Oh please. I'd like to see you try! I'll bash your knees in before you could so much as say 'treasure!"

Shaking her head Ace opens the door, ignoring the two bickering individuals behind her. She would only get involved if spells or deadly weapons were involved. But she found herself stunned, unable to take a step further. "Oh..." In front of her was a huge fountain with a strong aura surrounding it

"Hey what's up Ace?" Both turn towards her, marveling at the beautifully sculpted angel statue in the center. "That's one heck of a fountain to be hidden away down here." All three approach, taking note that there were no monsters to be seen around the area.

How strange. "It must be like the statues at the campsites. There's so much holy magic here..." A startled gasp escapes Veronica, grabbing her companions attention. There, not too far away was an unconscious girl on the floor. "Oh no! Serena!?" The young mage rushes over, falling to her knees panicking.

Her fingers grab at her sister's shoulders in a desperate attempt to shake her awake. "Serena! It's me Veronica, wake up!" Ace glances over her still form, looking for any injuries that could be found. But...there was none to be seen. "That's your sister?" Erik couldn't believe what he was hearing or seeing.

Serena looked to be about his and Ace's age. He traces over her still form, taking in her appearance. Long blond hair, a green and white dress with an orange sash. "There's no way..." Veronica ignored the thief's commentary-more focused on getting her sister to open her eyes.

She dare not think her to be dead. "Come on sis! We promised each other we'd be there when time's are tough so get up!" She was about to lose hope, her thoughts turning dark. But then there was slight movement in the young woman's form.

Hope shined in the mage's eyes as her little sister pushed herself up off the ground. Only for that hope to immediately transform into anger when Serena simply yawns. As if she was just taking a nap. Which considering she didn't seem hurt or bothered in the least at being on the ground she probably was.

Especially as she rubbed her eyes. Her vision a bit bleary. "I'm ever so sorry. It...it's just I-well I was so awfully tired after all that searching that I needed to rest." Blinking her sight finally clears, landing on Veronica with a startled expression.

"V-Veronica?! Is that you? What in the world happened!?" Everyone was rather stunned at her reaction. Though he didn't say anything, Erik met Ace's gaze as the two sisters converse with one another. He was so lost, barely able to keep up with what was happening.

He still refused to believe this was the girl they were looking for. "Wait wait-didn't you say that this is your little sister?" The short girl patted her hands on her dress, smoothing the fabric. "Well...if you wanna get technical, Serena and I are actually twins. We don't look the same due to...er it's complicated."

The now awake maiden stands up, brushing off the dirt as she smiles at the pair. "Complicated you say?" The blue haired male crosses his arms, waiting for an explanation. One that he could actually understand.

"Look I don't really get it either, but I told you I got kidnapped by monsters! Well, they went after me for my magic, but when I tried fighting them off...they drained my age alongside my powers." At that Veronica huffed.

Giving him a harsh glare as she pointed her finger at his face. "What I'm basically saying is...I'm NOT a Child. So...STOP TREATING ME LIKE ONE!" Erik could only hold his hands up in surrender, finally accepting the story.

He should've known better and could admit that he made a mistake. Obviously he should've listened to Ace since she believed the story. Even though he wasn't looking towards her direction, there was no doubt that she was giving him an amused...almost smug grin.

The same grin she gave him when she told him to start trying to figure out her name. "I told you so~" She did indeed and of course he was now paying for it. "Ok ok, I get it. But now what? You may not be a kid but you still look like one. What are you going to do now?"

The sage simply gave a smirk. Lifting her face high into the air. "Isn't it obvious? I'm going to clobber those monsters and try fixing this mess. And I'll be expecting your help of course~" Serena giggles, watching as Erik crosses his arms, snorting.

"And who says we're going to help you? We found your sister, so with that me and Ace will be on our way." Immediately the green dressed woman walks over to the swordswoman, curious.

Not even worried that her sister was arguing with strangers. "Why do you think I brought the two of you with me? Of course you're going to help. You wouldn't leave a pair of damsels in distress now would you?" Trying not to giggle again she whispers into Ace's ear.

Sneaking a glance. "Are they always like this?" The Luminary bites her lip slightly. As if holding back a smile of her own. Speaking just as quietly. "I haven't traveled with the two of them for very long...but yes. It feels like i'm watching two children bicker."

At that Serena laughs, unable to stop herself. Causing the 'bickering children' to turn her way. "What's so funny?" Ace ignored the chatter as she pursed her lips. "Hmm?" It was hard for her to hear, but...something was calling out to her.

Without even meaning to she just starts moving, her fingers reaching into the water as she circles to the front of the angel sculpture. "Ace?" She stares at the statue for a moment, hearing the faint voice again before she kneels down.

"H-hey what are you-" She clasps her hands gently together, praying for her companions protection. "What the hell?" Her eyes were closed as she focused on her prayer. Unaware of a soft light enveloping all of them. "Wha-?!" However when she stood up again, she found herself rejuvenated.

Any wounds or sense of fatigue she had was gone. As were the members of her party. "Incredible..." The three watched as the light lingered over Ace a moment longer. Making her furrow her brows in confusion. "Is something wrong?" Erik could only shake his head with a small smile.

What was one more surprise for the day? "Nothing. Anyways choice is yours Ace. What do you want to do?" Despite what he said to Veronica, he wasn't actually willing to ditch them. She was rude and bratty yeah.

But there was no way he was going to admit that he was worried about letting these monsters linger. The Luminary gave a soft hum, knowing exactly what he was thinking as their eyes met. The choice was truly hers, he would follow whatever she decided...but he also knew she couldn't leave things like this either.

Still she waited a moment, tilting her head to the corridor leading further into the crypt. "Let's nip this trouble in the bud and keep going shall we? A pleasure to have you join us Serena." With that Veronica sends a smug smirk in the rogues direction.

Unaware of the silent conversation Erik shared with her. "See-only person around here that makes sense and knows how to use her brain." His eye twitched at the rude remark. He frowned, pretending to be disappointed.

"Fine fine. Welcome aboard Serena. Hope you know your way around a fight." The girl in question gives a sheepish smile. Unaware that he actually wasn't being serious with her. "If I'm being honest I'm not much of a fighter, but I know some rather wonderful healing magic. I'll be sure to do my best!"

to be continued

Author Notes: Does this follow the game exactly? Kinda, but as far as dialogue no, but that's fine. I wanted that sibling rivalry up front and personal as well as point out how strange this all is. So the scene goes...

Serena wakes up, surprised to see her sister is a midget but is totally fine with the fact that her now younger twin is with a bunch of...strangers to put it lightly. Now trust or not Veronica has no magic, is a kid again and her only weapon is a really tall staff...isn't anyone else concerned?

I'm concerned and im the youngest sibling in the family. Oh well, we got party member number four so all's well that ends well. Either case that's it for this chapter. If you like the series so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me. tchao for now.