Yggdrasil's Ace

Chapter 18

Author Notes: School is almost over. Hooray-and with that, more updates, and more stories...hopefully. Well, last time Erik when on the hunt for some branch ala yggdrasil. Time to see how it went, I do not own Dragon Quest.

3rd P.O.V

"Stop scowling-you look like you're going to murder someone." With how things have been going Erik was most certainly ready to kill someone. "Shut up." Veronica shot him a glare, one that he ignored as he took in the view of the Gallopolis racetrack. He couldn't believe this was how the civilians found entertainment.

It was hot, humid and everyone was packed in together like livestock. It being worse with flashy decorations that shined in the sun blinding him every way he turned. Honestly he couldn't see the appeal, let alone watch every single race. "You did your best Erik, but right now we'll just have to trust Ace."

He had no problem with trusting her. He's had his faith in her since day one when they jumped off that cliff together. He's seen her horse riding skills in action too. That wasn't at all the issue he had.

"She shouldn't have to do this. That bastard Prince better hand over the Rainbough once this is over." In the end this was all his fault. Time and time again he snuck into the damn palace, searching high and low for his desired treasure.

All dead ends. Forcing Ace to see the arrogant prick and agree to his terms. Any minute now she'd be decked out in heavy, probably stuffy armor pretending to be Faris. Slowly but surely dying in the metal death trap.

"You'd think for a royal treasure that was supposedly on display people would talk about it more. Especially if it's from Yggdrasil herself." The little mage in red had a good point. Making that sense of dread Erik's been feeling in his gut for days now worse.

Noah was not one to lie when it came to being an information broker. The man took as much pride on selling his resources just as much as Erik did in his hunt for valuables. They may be criminals, but they had pride much like any good, hard working civilian.

So there had to be some sort of explanation for why the thief couldn't find any sort of trace of it. "Oh there she is!" The crowd erupted into cheers as their beloved 'prince' entered on horseback. Specifically the infamous 'Midno' that they heard so much about.

The black steed huffed and snorted as he elegantly trotted onto the track. "Ohhh Prince Faris looks so handsome in uniform~" If only they knew. "Look how obedient Midno is with him. That horse has been known to buck even the most skilled of riders. Truly he is a master of horses!"

It took everything in Erik not to snort at the gossip reaching his ears. "Look look his highness is waving this way~ Good luck!" With a wry grin, the rogue and mages wave back at Ace. Wishing her silently the best of luck.

Because of the helmet covering her face, he couldn't meet her eyes, but he hoped she could read his loud and clear. 'Be careful.' He wanted to say it out loud, however he couldn't voice it. He couldn't blow her cover. So he stood there, trying his best to relax as he watched her get into position.

Only for him to freeze as a familiar individual goes to meet her. "What the hell is he doing here!?" None of them could believe it. "Look it's Sharukh! Wait Sir Sylvando is riding Sharukh!? Where is Sir Faiz!?" Indeed he was, both he and the horse were covered from head to hoof in feathers and decorative jewels.

Erik narrowed his eyes as the circus performer leaned close to Ace-whispering something. "Try to keep up Princy!~" He watches as Sylvando sends a wink towards the girl, which would usually irritate him, but much to his own surprise he actually sags in relief.

Glad to see that she wasn't discovered. "She may pull this off yet." It seemed Veronica was mirroring his feelings. "Looks like there's no one that'll be a match for her. It'll be a piece of cake! The Rainbough will be as good as ours!" They could only thank their lucky stars as a man with a flag walks in front of the racers.

"The moment of truth is here." They along with the rest of the crowd wait with bated breath. Time ticking, slowly like leaves fluttering off a tree. His gaze catches Ace's grip on the reigns tighten as her shoulders hunch slightly. "GO!" At the blink of an eye all of them were off!

And it was here he could see why Faris was so desperate to get her to ride in his place for this competition. He had gotten a glimpse of her in action back in the fields on route to the Door of Departure, but her desperate rush to safety was nothing to what he was able to see now.

She was a natural, even in the heavy armor and tacky cape she looked majestic as she flew off the ramps. Midno and her worked in perfect harmony in weaving through the various obstacles scattered along the track.

"So much for this being a piece of cake..." It would've been even better were it not for the damn jester trying to pass by her. "This is going to be cutting it close! Stay strong!" Serena called out to Ace, hoping her cheers would reach her ears in the madness.

Once more he wished that there was something more he could do than just stand there and watch. "Don't lose now! You got this!" He blinked as he felt something jab into his leg. "Don't just stand there Erik-help us cheer her on!" With a huff he smiles.

What the hell-he's got nothing to lose. She probably won't be able to hear him, no matter how loud he yells. But if the girls were going to show their support, he will too. "You can do it!" For two laps he and the mages beside him shouted their hearts out.

Their throats going raw as Ace and Midno stay just inches ahead of Sylvando. Things changed when they reached lap three. They were neck and neck, going at blinding speeds as the both of them picked up their pace-actually passing by their other opponents when Erik felt something.

It was for a brief moment but it felt like the ground underneath him shook. With furrowed brows he shifts his eyes around. No one else seems to have noticed the strange sensation, too engrossed with watching the race.

But his eyes and the eyes of all the spectators widened in horror as something broke through the surface. Right in front of Ace and Sylvando. "Eeeek it's the Slayer of Sands!" The pair of horseback riders had no time to stop, let alone prepare for the swift strike of claws.

"Look out!" The Slayer of Sands looked like a giant hybrid of a scorpion and crab, with sharp fangs poking out of its grinning maw. "Ahhh!" Ace cursed as she manipulated the reigns, leaning herself harshly towards the right.

At the last minute Midno took their momentum to duck and swerve around the pincers aimed their way. He whined as she immediately leaped off, her sword already out to block another deadly strike. Sylvando wasn't as lucky as he and his horse were smacked away, landing painfully several yards away. "Get it Prince Faris!"

Despite the fear that plagued the civilians hearts they didn't flee. Having complete confidence that their supposed brave and strong knightly prince could handle this monstrosity. Not at all aware that the person down there was a girl with possibly the worst luck imaginable.

Already Erik had his dagger out as he leaped off the walls. His feet landing gracefully on the ground as Veronica and Serena screamed from their positions. Reaching the Luminary in moments to help her fight the thing off. "Rubblerouser!" The two of them separated as the beast used it's poisonous tail.

Trying it's hardest to impale them. "Sizz!" Extending her hand out came forth a spew of flames that surrounded the monster. It screeched, enraged as it flailed its claws. It didn't do as much damage as Ace was hoping. "Erik we need to disable its legs!" It had strong defenses due to its shell.

Their spells weren't working, no matter which ones they used. And though their blades were able to block its swift strikes, it wasn't penetrating its natural armor. "Glad to see the honorable knights of Gallopolis are coming to your aid-'your majesty."

Even though the two of them were in grave danger as this wretched creature kept attacking, Ace managed a snort. Though it was barely heard through all of the noise. But it was true, they had been fighting for several minutes now, yet not one soldier arrived to come assist.

Guess it wasn't just Faris skipping out on the knight's vow to fight and protect the innocent. "Crackle!" Instead of soldiers, their aid came in the form of two girls. "Woosh!" Both of their expressions serious as they sprinted in their direction.

"What took ya so long?" Veronica rolled her eyes as she lifted up her staff. "Frizz! Unlike you, we can't take leaps of faith off of dangerous heights! You could've broken your leg doing something so stupid." He didn't have the chance to retort, having to flip over another sharp limb.

Only for the damn tail to sweep into his stomach. "Erik!" He gritted his teeth as he collapsed into the ground. "Serena go to him! Veronica help me-" The rest of her words died on her mouth as the monster turned around, its back facing them. "Get back you-you bully! How dare you attack Prince Faris."

Great Goddess what is a child doing here?! Ace didn't even realize she was moving, the adrenaline rush pushing her legs to run as fast as if she was still on Midno. "What are you-NO!" Her companions watched in horror as the Slayer of Sands raised its tail, ready to sting the child striking it with a stick.

And their companion acting as a shield for him. Her sword took the blunt of the blow, it being a battle of strength and determination she should've been able to push it back like she had before. "Run!" However, within moments as the child went to obey her command, Ace's blade broke.

The stinger impaling into her stomach almost instantly. "Prince Faris!" It lifted her high into the air, watching with malicious delight as she struggled in its grip. "Z-zap!" Once more it screeched in rage as its entire body was electrocuted.

This time doing major damage as it slams Ace painfully into ground. "Bastard!" Erik stood up with a wince, ignoring his pain as he casted another rubblerouser spell. Making it an impromptu barrier to protect the downed girl as the invertebrate released her, only to try stinging her again.

"My spell won't last long! We need to get it away from her!" He kept casting from a distance, giving Serena the chance to heal his injuries, while Ronnie sets about distracting it with more fire spells. "Zap!"

Despite the pain she was in, Ace even while protected from jagged rocks covering her body still struck. Aiming for the beast's underbelly. "There!" The moment the green dressed healer stepped away, Erik was on the move, taking his dagger he jumped, slashing at the enemy's eyes.

Blinding it before grabbing for his partner still laying beneath his spell. "I got you." He had no time to be gentle, but he couldn't help apologizing at her pained gasp as he moved her back, far away from the front lines. "Don't be. We...we have bigger worries."

She was breathing heavily through the helmet, it was a miracle she was still conscious-but that wasn't going to last long. She was leaning heavily into his hold, he could feel warm liquid seep through her clothes and into his palm. "Stay with me Ace!" He had to get her to Serena.

Even if her wound won't instantly heal-it'll at least stop the bleeding. "The little boy. Sylvando." He cursed as he was forced to leap out of the way with her again. The Slayer of Sands was struggling without its sight, but it was moving and attacking more erratically.

Becoming more unpredictable. "Right now its attentions on us. Don't worry about them!" She was bleeding out in his hold during a life threatening battle-now wasn't the time for her to focus on trying to protect others.

"Sylvando's unconscious Erik-and the child won't be able to outrun it should it strike in his direction again." He hated how right she was. No matter how badly he wanted to be heartless right now and say fuck them-he couldn't.

Neither he or her would be able to live with themselves if those two die because he wanted Ace to be top priority. However he couldn't come up with a plan to effectively get them out of there safely. But the opportunity presented itself when a harsh snort caught their attention. "Midno!"

The stubborn black steed took off into the sky from a nearby ramp, his front hooves colliding right into the blind beast's face before landing before the child. Picking him up by the back of his shirt with his teeth. "H-hey let me go! I wanna help!" That was one problem down.

"Take this! Frizz!" This fight was far from over however. "Erik-Ace!" With relief Erik carefully gave the injured girl to Serena. "She's losing a lot of blood. Take care of her!" He immediately rushed back into the front lines.

His dagger was glinting in the sun as he quickly coats it with a poison agent. "Want some of this!?" He was going to kill this thing-it was going to pay dearly. By his hands. He took a note out of the Luminary's book, aiming for its underbelly, watching with satisfaction as he saw black blood ooze from his slashes.

It would take a moment for the lethal additive to take effect, but that was fine as he brought his hands together. "Rubblerouser!" Out of the corner of his eye as took note of one thing. The bastard Prince was hiding behind one of the pillars a bit away from the track...boiling his blood all the more.

Growling Erik struck ten times harder, moved faster and used all his magic until he was completely spent of mana. This should've never happened. He and his companions should not be fighting this battle-Alone. His partner should not be bleeding to death because of this abomination of a monster and the Slayer of Sands. "Ronnie!"

Nodding the mage casted her spell, aiming right for the wounds Erik made. "Bang!" It was her strongest spell to date, and it proved useful as the damn thing FINALLY fell. Giving one last pained shriek before collapsing onto the ground.

Fading into nothing shortly after. Sheathing his knife, Erik couldn't even feel relief as he immediately turned on his heels. His gaze full on the bleeding girl being gently held in Serena's grasp. "Ace!" At this point he didn't care any longer for this farce as he lifted the helmet off the girl.

Revealing dark brown hair and bruises adorning her face. "I've managed to stop the bleeding after multiple attempts-but she's weak, the poison did damage and my squelch spell is not working on her." Thank Yggdrasil they had antidote herbs.

That was the only thing that saved her. Even if everyone forgot that Ace was-for whatever reason unaffected by magic, the girl was always prepared with herbal medicines and bandages stuffed in her bag. "She will recover, but she needs rest." Already she could feel the young warrior's temperature rising.

By tonight she'll be undergoing a terrible fever. "Then let's get her back to the inn." Carefully, the two placed Ace onto Erik's back. "Sorry..." His eyes widened, startled as a weak voice murmurs into his ear. "Don't apologize, focus on resting alright? I got you." There was a reason he was carrying her.

"Are you hurt? The others ok?" If he wasn't the one bringing her back he was going to commit murder. "You're the only one hurt. The most we got are some scratches. Stop worrying about others and let me take care of you." With a quiet sigh Ace obeys, closing her eyes.

Completely lost to the world as her companion sends a seething glare Faris's way. Making sure to pass by him, revealing him to the still rather large crowd that decided to stick around and watch. "Don't think we forgot about you. I'll be back later..."

The royal better pray to the Goddess that the rogue calm down before coming to see him. And he BETTER have the Rainbough ready for them the moment they arrive. The Slayer of Sands paid for attacking and nearly killing Ace...now it was his majesty's turn. Erik was Done playing nice with these bastards.

to be continued

Author Notes: Yay injuries and rage! All of the rage, Erik's out for blood. And it's going to be fun times for anyone not named Faris. I can't wait to see the carnage. But that is for another day.

Everyone, as always, thank you all so much for reading my story! If you like it please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean so much to me seeing you all enjoy it and give your support. I'll see you all next time, tchao for now.