Yggdrasil's Ace

Chapter 12

Author Notes: I swear nothing is more painful than starting something over from scratch unwillingly. Especially when it comes to a damn new mouse with a back button. *Huffs* But it's fine. I got everything reformatted and edited. I am fine. And do not own dragon quest.

3rd P.O.V

Night couldn't come soon enough. "I swear-the moment we get to Gallapolis we're finding something for you!" Ace could only give a sheepish smile as she went about setting up the forge, ignoring the furious expression on Veronica's face.

After their bath-as promised- she and her younger twin had checked every single shop in Hotto in the hopes of finding something for Ace. However all of the lightweight armor and traveling gear for the warmer climate was...in the nicest words possible, utter trash.

Or it didn't fit Ace who was taller and slimmer than the average size for women her age. And though the shop owners had offered to tailor something more fitting-it would've taken too long for them to wait for. So they were forced to leave empty handed.

"I mean it Ace! There's a lot more people and shops there, they HAVE to have something more your size." She knew Veronica meant well, but it honestly didn't bother her. Yeah it was hot wearing all these layers while fighting in the sun but she was used to it by now.

Things were ok. "It's fine Veronica. Don't worry so much." The blonde huffed, her hands on her hips as she frowned at the girl's back. Watching her hammer the lightweight armor that was meant for Serena.

It was still a long ways away from being finished. The Luminary had spent days finishing the outfit meant for her, only to now work on one for her sister. A task that was going to take twice as long due to their obvious height difference. It was incredible how handy she was with crafting.

These were far more impressive than what they'd seen from the shops, and it made her curious. "Why not just make something for yourself Ace? Looks like you're quite talented with the forge." A small hum escapes the teen as she lifts a piece up.

Narrowing her eyes in thought before continuing to bash the metal into submission. "I'm not that talented actually. I haven't had much experience with the forge, but I've been lucky to come across several recipes to study from." Her only experience was this forge.

Does that make her talented? Possibly, but she had recipes from Erik to work with, and it opened the door for her to try and learn more. And in a town like Hotto, recipes were everywhere. She wasn't going to take such praise.

"Your dress and Serena's attire wouldn't have been possible otherwise. I still need to find something for Erik-but in any case, i'm not bothered by the heat." She was a terrible liar. Even when not looking at her face Veronica could tell.

Everyone knew she was struggling. For nearly a week they had been walking in this damned desert, fighting all sorts of monsters. If it wasn't for Erik keeping close to Ace and making sure she was drinking properly-she probably would've collapsed ages ago.

It was so bizarre how easy Ace made it for them to forget that she was just as susceptible to injuries and problems as any other person. She had no qualms trying to make things better for them, but couldn't give a shit about herself.

Actually she was surprised to find healing spells didn't work on her the way it did on others. Instead of healing her wounds completely, it just sped up the process, still leaving the injury there. It was baffling and it lead to a lot more questions the sage had for the girl.

But she realized quickly on after meeting the pair that there was only so much she could learn about the Luminary. Ace as much as she didn't like lying or hiding things struggled explaining herself, in general not wanting to talk about her issues or concerns.

She had no problem telling stories of when she was little or retelling tales her grandfather told her. But anything about what happened after she met Erik or how she started on her journey made her tense.

And that was usually when the blue haired male intervened, distracting the girls or bluntly telling the persistent sage off for being too pushy. It was infuriating, but Veronica had to admit she was grateful for the snarky rogue's observations and mother-hen antics despite how annoying he could be.

He kept her hydrated, made sure she was eating properly and was always ready to patch her up with bandages and healing salves. It was like he had this sixth sense in knowing when Ace needed something. For all his talk of being a heartless criminal he was a royal softie when it came to her.

How disgustingly charming...Veronica couldn't help snorting seeing that even though they were stopping for the night in an area protected by a Goddess statue, he was still keeping an eye out for the purple clad warrior.

Currently he was cleaning his precious handmade daggers( gifts from Ace no doubt) in front of a fire, not too far from them. His protective gaze peering their way every once in a while to make sure the spellcaster wasn't being too much of a pest.

Which, considering the frown he was throwing her way...she was getting close. Still his looks of disapproval wasn't going to stop her from calling out how much she's hurting herself for being stubborn.

"Ace...there's a limit to how much you can keep this up. You're being stupid. No one's going to judge you for wearing a dress or something more comfortable." Serena winced as she turned a page in her book. "Veronica!" They all watched as Ace flinched.

Hissing as she missed the metal, nailing her finger instead. Erik listened to this long enough. Putting down his weapons he stood up, grabbing the magic midget by the collar. "I think that's enough for one night Ronnie. Leave her the hell alone."

He drops her painfully onto a log next to Serena before making his way back to the Luminary. Ignoring the choice words being spewed his way. He immediately eyes the bruise and slightly bleeding finger being tightly held to the girl's chest.

"Don't let Ronnie boss you around. I know she means well and only wants to help but she doesn't get it." Ace stays silent, not even bothering to protest as he wraps a piece of cloth around her injury.

Their gazes meet. "If it makes things easier we can travel at night. So you're not overheating as much." She sighs, giving a small thank you for the first aid before answering. "I don't want to cause trouble Erik, especially since the monsters are much stronger and aggressive at this time. I can deal with it."

He had no doubts she could-she has. Not having a single complaint despite everyone else doing such. "Just because you can, doesn't mean you have to." His response is only another sigh, knowing the wisdom in his words but not wanting to cause them trouble made her stubborn.

It was a standstill debate that left her unable to make a proper decision. He gave a soft smile before wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Just keep in mind we'll follow whatever choice you decide. Just make sure that choice makes things easier for you." That got her to smile slightly.

Improving her mood. "Now that's more like it. Take a break from the forge for now. I'm ready to figure out your name tonight."

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"Tomorrow you're going to apologize Veronica." Serena was not letting her sister give any sort of protest. What she said earlier was rude and unnecessary. "Yeah yeah I know." Like Veronica wasn't already aware that she stepped on some toes.

She wasn't blind to see Ace's reaction. And it wouldn't be the first time she was scolded for being too blunt. "Glad to see we're all in agreement Ronnie." The mage rolled her eyes as Erik approached, his face neutral as he took a seat.

Typical worry-wort. "Is Ace asleep?" He sent a nod Serena's way before interlacing his fingers together while staring into the fire. Not at all paying attention to the looks he was receiving from the twins. All they had to do was look not too far from them to find her nestled in front of the Goddess statue.

Her expression peaceful as she curled into herself. It'd take quite a bit for anyone to wake her up, giving him the opportunity to openly glare Veronica down. He didn't want to cause any fights for Ace's sake, but the pigtailed brat was going way too far lately.

And he was done playing nice. "I know you're special protectors of the Luminary or whatever, but Veronica you need to back off." She had no problems glaring right on back at him, though with her current form she didn't scare him one bit.

"Don't go baring your fangs at me you dolt. I was only trying to help." She hated that it felt like there was some sort of barrier between them. Her and Serena on one side, with Ace and Erik on the other. It really made her curious as to what the relationship between the two of them was.

Obviously they were close. But just what was their history? "You're crossing lines you don't even realize. You don't know shit about what she's been through and it's about time you stop pretending you do."

That comment actually stung, so much so that any insult she had on her lips froze. Serena fidgeted in her seat, remembering one particular comment that left her on edge. "She had mentioned being locked away as a prisoner?" Erik wasn't one to spill secrets.

It wasn't in his nature and he knows that if things were in reverse, he would've hated it if Ace told them anything. However they needed to understand if they were going to stick around. She was a strong, wise and compassionate warrior, but she had her issues.

"Up until she went on her path of discovery as the Luminary she lived in a small town, being talked down to the point where she's got one hell of an inferiority complex." They already knew that. It was obvious to figure out when they spoke to Ace in the bath.

But they still listened silently. "I didn't meet her till a few days after she had left on her journey. When the King of Heliodor locked her up for being born. Let a bunch of his knights beat the shit out of her, while taunting her that her village was going to be invaded by his army."

His expression darkened as he looked into the flames. "After fighting to hell and back to get out of his dungeon and sneaking past all of his guards do you want to know what Ace came home to?" The girls had a good idea, but they didn't voice a word. Letting him continue.

"The place was absolutely destroyed. Several of the homes that weren't rubble were still on fire, and its citizens were laid all across the ground. Left there for her to see. That was only a couple months ago." He pauses then.

Letting them absorb the information, still not daring to look in their direction. To see the appalled expressions he knew would be there. "I-we...didn't know. You mentioned Heliodor? That's so far away."

Serena licked her lips, unsure of what to say. When her sister told her she had found the Luminary they had assumed that Ace had been traveling for ages, not a few months. Or that she lived not too far away from Hotto.

Thinking that even if she just started her journey, Erik had been a childhood friend with how close they were. But that wasn't the case. None of their theories of Ace's backstory matched the cruel reality.

"According to her, the bastard king didn't even know her town existed until she went to him seeking guidance-and he took advantage of her naivety to take everything she held dear." Veronica clenched her fists. Stunned speechless at what she was hearing. But he wasn't even done.

Stinging worse than any cut. "Back then she wore the layers because she didn't like dresses or submitting to her hometown's expectations. Now she wears them because she's terrified of what those knights will do to her should they find out her true gender."

They thought she was a guy when they beat up her up and locked her away... A wounded noise left the girl in red, while her sister was covering her mouth with her shaking hands. Their imaginations could paint a good enough picture of what would happen if things were a little different.

Though Serena shook her head, as if trying to deny the truth. "Th-they wouldn't. The knights are supposed to be men of honor!" At that Erik snorts, not quite believing the ignorance of Serena's statement.

But then again...she wasn't there at the time. He highly doubted the green dressed maiden's ever been thrown in jail either. "Kings are supposed to be there for their people and help them. Knights are supposed to be protectors to their king and their people. Both of them failed Ace."

It took a thief being there, watching those soldiers happily torture and verbally abuse her to give her a shred of kindness and free her from what going to be a death sentence. With a sigh he raked his fingers through his hair. Taking a moment to glance towards the sky, seeing the stars twinkle down at him.

"We've been on the run for awhile, and thanks to some parting words from a vision of her deceased grandfather-we managed to get away more or less in one piece. But those knights aren't going to give up until Ace is back in their sadistic clutches."

He saw the look on Hendrik's face right before they disappeared. Even if it meant searching all of the world-he would not rest until he found them. To finish what he started. His harsh stare promising that Ace WOULD die at his hands.

It was only a matter of when...and where. Something Erik refused to allow happen. Sighing he turns to them finally. "If you two are going to be here for the long haul, you need to be ready to fight like your life depends on it. Ace...doesn't want to drag anyone into her mess."

Not wanting anymore blood to be spilt because of her. "Hell if I told her I wanted to leave-she'd let me, no questions asked. Not that I would-mind you. The point still stands however." It was terrible when he thought about it.

She would let him abandon her, thinking he would be safer anywhere so long as it was away from her. That feeling intensified with the fact that every night she would pray to the statue for the group's protection. Because despite her smiles and carefree gestures, she was still deeply troubled.

No one walks away perfectly fine after the kind of stuff she went through. "Erik...why are you telling us this?" With that he stands up, stretching with a yawn, feeling absolutely exhausted. Another reason why he doesn't talk about the past.

Too many memories-too many emotions filtering through him as if he just experienced it. Still he decides to answer Serena's final question. Taking in the stars that twinkle deep into the sky one more time.

"I'm not saying all this because I want you guys to treat her like glass or feel the need to coddle her. But...you gotta understand that being a Hero of the Ages isn't something she's happy about. She lost a shit ton, and that guilt isn't going to be going away anytime soon."

With that he was done talking. Of all people he'd understand that. Shaking his head he bids them a goodnight before heading towards the Goddess statue. Surprised to find that Ace was awake, waiting for him with drooped eyelids. "Did I wake you?"

She gave a soft hum, but didn't really answer as he took a spot next to her. "Thank you for telling them." His eyes widened for a moment. "You're not mad?" She waited for him to get settled before she nuzzled his shoulder, making him blush.

"If I'm being honest some of my memories are a bit of a blur, difficult to properly detail or explain. Especially with my visions. It was better letting you explain...it also shows you trust them." The thief wasn't sure if he agreed with the latter part of that sentence.

But he doesn't bother responding, instead choosing to hold her. As if he could protect her from anything that would dare bring her harm. Whether it was a strike from a monster or from the nightmares it didn't matter. "Get some rest Alyssa?"

She snorts into his chest. "Not my name...but the closest you've ever been." She yawns, closing her eyes to sleep. A grin forms at that, pride swelling in his being. "Night Ace." Carefully he brushes the strands from her face before drifting off himself.

Completely unaware of the audience not too far from them. "They look so cute together." Veronica rolled her eyes, gagging at the adorable scene. "You'd think they were married with how they interacted...how revolting."

A shame the two weren't actually lovers...something Serena desperately wanted to change. "Do you think Erik will tell her?" It was so obvious. "No. And good luck convincing her to confess." This wasn't what the mages thought they were going to have to deal with when given the duty as the Luminary's protector.

But...neither seemed to really mind that. What's a little romance to spice up the adventure?

to be continued

Author Notes: Phew the final chapter update is done! Happy new year folks. I'm ready to go back to bed...but it's already the afternoon so I guess that means there more typing and editing to do...fun times await me lol.

But that is it for this chapter. Everyone as per usual thank you all so much for reading the series so far. If you like it please feel free to fav/follow/review as it always means so much to me knowing others like my work. See you next time, tchao for now.