Yggdrasil's Ace

Chapter 11

Author Notes: it's been too long my beloved story *hugs* Far far too long. But it's ok, we're back...for at least a week or two before I need to work on one shot week. So let's get going with a continue of last chappy. I do not own Dragon Quest.

3rd P.O.V

"Welcome back my friend.

A great delight to be sure.

Please enjoy your stay~"

Erik could only nod as he gets in the bath, sighing as he rubs his head. "What a day already." It was still morning, but it felt like he ran a marathon with how tired he felt. His mind was racing a mile a minute.

Unable to relax as his thoughts drifted to the last few hours. In general he was a bit overwhelmed with information that was thrown his way earlier. Leave it to Veronica to give him a headache even when she wasn't insulting him.

After he managed to get Ace awake and out of bed...(He could still feel the heat from when his palms rested on her back. And how soft her hair was when it tickled his chin-) they had gone downstairs to find the twins already waiting for them.

Giving them only a few minutes to get food and settle into a chair before explaining their roles as protectors to the Luminary. Noting the serious expressions on the girls faces when they first went knocking on their door, guess he should've seen it coming.

Granted they terrorized him for sharing a room with Ace, but...Veronica had dropped the subject too easily. Too willingly. There of course had to be more. Though he was ill prepared for how Ace was going to handle learning what her role was after trying to find answers while on the run.

'We have a legend in Arboria. It says that one day the Dark One will descend to extinguish the light...but that Yggdrasil's Chosen...the Luminary, bearer of the Mark of Light will rise to meet him.' Ace found herself nibbling her lip, ignoring her meal completely. Whatever appetite she had flew south rather quickly.

The young girl glanced down at her hand, her Mark of Light glowing slightly, like it was trying to confirm Serena's statement. This...is what she wanted right? After struggling all this time up until now she finally got to learn why she was given this mark.

What made her so special. But she couldn't quell the anxiety that filtered through her. And it was not going away anytime soon as Veronica waves a hand as she takes over for her younger twin. Taking Ace's lack of comment for disbelief.

'I know it's hard to believe but it's true! You're the reincarnation of the Luminary-the one who defeated the Dark One long ago.' The swordswoman grimaced at the statement. It sounded like a fairytale, something her grandpa Chalky had told her when she and Gemma were kids.

She wanted to deny it. For sixteen years she had been living in a small little town by the mountains-sure she knew her way around a fight but her? Defeat some great wicket entity? 'Why am I...?' Her mouth clamped shut, She had cut herself off.

Unable to muster the final parts of her question. Ever since she was first thrown in the dungeon she questioned why it was her who was chosen. And more importantly why she was considered a bringer of calamity in Heliodor.

But she was afraid of the answer Immediately Erik narrow his eyes at her. Trying to read her thoughts...Not that it seemed to matter. Veronica didn't even seem to hear the beginning parts of the question with how quiet she suddenly was.

Pacing around before turning towards her. 'I still can't work out why they'd need to bring you back if the Dark One was defeated to be honest...But ours is not to reason why! Once we fulfill our sacred duty and get you to Yggdrasil, i'm sure all will be revealed.'

Honestly the thief was listening to all this, feeling just as perplexed as the Luminary in question looked. He watched her mood darken, the pressure suddenly bearing down on her tiny frame. 'I'm sure' she says-No pressure right?' He also took note of her not taking a bite of her meal.

Not on his watch. 'Yggdrasil, huh? Well I for one want to know what the hells going on. Let's mosey on over there.' With swift fingers, he pushed the dish closer to Ace, smirking as her eyes widened slightly. She turned toward him with a small frown.

Her fingers were hesitating, as if she wanted to push it back. But he narrowed his gaze, no matter what she needed to eat. And for once he wasn't going to back down. But, fortunately it didn't lead to a silent argument.

She only exhaled slightly, her eyes revealing a swirl of emotions he couldn't place before forcing a spoonful into her mouth. Completely ignoring the stupefied expression on the red dressed mage's face. A sound of frustration escaped the blonde.

'Have you ever tried thinking before opening your big mouth? In case you haven't noticed Yggdrasil is floating in the sky. 'Mosey' he says. Honestly!' Of course he did, he wasn't blind or stupid. He wouldn't be alive for this long if that was the case. But he could clearly see the distress on his friend's face.

Due to his past, and in general line of work Erik didn't do heart to heart conversations or really interact with people outside of deals. He was observant, which was how he could tell Ace was feeling nervous-a stark change to how she was last night with HIM being the anxious wreck.

That skill however didn't really help with knowing what to say or do in order to cheer people up. He didn't have any doubts that Ace was feeling insecure about her being this grand hero. His thoughts lingering back to when he had found her confessing in Father Izar's church.

She hasn't said anything but the rogue would have to be a fool to not know how she felt about all this. Guilty being the main thing. He knew for a fact she still carried that little blue charm that her old friend Gemma made. A good luck charm she mentioned if he recalled correctly.

'...Alas the legends don't tell us how.' If he had to play the role of the optimistic straight man to lighten the mood and ease the pressure off her shoulders then he'll do it. 'What? Not even you special protectors of the magical ancient truth knows? Bummer...' And it was just a bonus if it pissed Veronica off.

Still, Ace had him for the long haul. Regardless of the hardship he would see this through with her till the end. And the gratitude in her smile was all he needed. Especially when he had an actual good idea to help her out. 'Then let's go talk to Connie's dad for a minute.' All three girls turn to him in confusion.

'Why?' Of course it would be the pigtailed spitfire who would ask. 'Remember I had heard about him before? The man is known for selling information for those in my line of work. Possible he could give us a lead.'

It really helped that Noah now owed them a favor for busting him out. 'A lead to how we can reach the World Tree? What a wonderful idea~ Let us go then!' Serena was more than eager to march off.

Only for her sister to pull her back. 'Hold your horses. Let's all get washed up before anything else. We're due for a bath with all the blood and grime...' As much as he wanted to, he couldn't deny that Ronnie was right. All of them needed to get cleaned up.

And it helped soothed the aches nicely. "Goodness what are you being so shy for? Just get in!" The harsh tone made Eriks' thoughts pause. That definitely sounded like Veronica. "I apologize for my sister. Are you injured anywhere?" And that was Serena.

"N-no..." And that was no doubt Ace. "Honestly it's not like there's any need to hide away. We're all girls. And I've seen your scars before." Scars? "Oh dear...what happened? They look like claw marks. And are these sword markings?" It took everything in him not to call out to them.

There was a barrier separating them, he shouldn't even Think of peeking. Even if its out of concern. "They're old. Nothing to worry about. But um...can you not stare at me please?" A sigh escapes Erik as he closes his eyes.

Resting his head against one the stone walls. Trying to ignore the little chat on the other side. It wasn't his business. And the consequences should he be caught listening in would be nightmarish at best.

"Again with that lack of confidence. You can wield a sword, fight off all sorts of dangerous, scary monsters yet you wilt at the showing of someone looking at you. You're the Luminary!" He can easily imagining her wince at the statement.

And from the sharp sound of water splashing she probably did. "I had been meaning to ask you for quite some time now. Why do you wear so many layers of clothes? I had believed you were a man up until my sister told me. I also apologize for the confusion that happened with the rooms!"

There was silence for a good couple of moments, something he had expected. If it were him, he'd tell the girls to mind their own business. His secrets were for him and him alone and they should respect that.

After all Ace did whenever he was in a bad mood or cut himself off. It was a proper gesture, even He knew that. However...this was Ace, she wasn't one to say no except to him. Why is that now that he thinks about it?

"I...i've always not been very feminine, even as a child. My grandpa taught me how to defend myself, cook, apply first aid and just...be me. As opposed to learning how to be a proper wife and mother. Something not too many people in my village really approved of. And it's always been a bit of a struggle fitting in."

Ace sighs quietly. "It was just always easier hiding in my clothes. People see a guy they think you're a guy and don't judge how you act-of how you Should be. And it protected me from the knights of Heliodor when I was locked away. If they knew I was a girl...I could only imagine things being worse." Erik stills.

Releasing a quiet harsh breath. "Wait-what's this about you being locked away!?" She was absolutely right. It was bad enough that they hit and kicked her, forcing her to bleed on the ground as they spat nasty insults her way.

"I...it's a long story." Had at any time they found out she was a woman- His fist clenched at the thought. Knowing that many of the soldiers Hendrik trained weren't honorable in the slightest. The young teen had every right to hide her gender.

And he could see why she kept it from him even after their escape. "...be very pretty if you wore a dress. And with this heat, I'm afraid you'd fall ill." It seemed he lost some of the conversation just now.

Though it wasn't too hard to know what he missed. "I-I don't think I could part with my outfit anyways...it's one of the only things left of my hometown. And I KNOW I wouldn't look good in anything. Can-can we please drop this conversation?" Erik could relate to a lot of what she was feeling.

That sense that there was nowhere you could belong. Of having to constantly be judged for who you are and what you do. He definitely could understand constantly being forced to put up a mask to hide away the pain. Maybe that was why he felt so connected with her. And why he wanted to be there for her.

"I think not. Especially since I know you've been working on new outfits for us! I saw you using the forge the other night to meld armor into an outfit meant for me." Ok, yeah-no. He couldn't listen anymore. As quietly as he could the thief washed his hair and got out.

It was only a matter of time before he spoke out and revealed himself. "Listen Ace, it's only a matter of time before you collapse-it's not going to kill you or our budget to get something for you." Guilt was forming a very insufferable lump in his chest. "It's fine..."

For once the blue haired criminal was on the same page with the short spellcaster. "As soon as we're done bathing we're going to find you better clothes. No ifs ands or buts!" There had to be something he could do. Perhaps he should go see Noah early...

Best check up on Connie after all. The gears in his head were turning with no one to stop them.

to be continued

Author Notes: Whoo boy that was a long one that though didn't get too far as far as action, did help with setting the pace for the story. Or at the very least the girls getting to know each other.

Next time we're going to get the show on the road, but again, next time. Guys thank you all so much for reading. If you like the story so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean so much to me. Tchao for now folks!