Yggdrasil's Ace
Chapter 25
Author Notes: So...I have no excuses(i mean I have a ton-) but uh, i haven't quit or given up on my precious fanfiction. But it looks like some of my series have finally started drying up in the well that is my doc manager so certain series need to be worked on.
Gonna take some time to restock ironically enough-Not this one(yet lol) so it's time to continue this lovely little(wait 25 chapters!?) Ahem...with all that said I do not own dragon quest. Enjoy my friends.
3rd P.O.V
Heavy footsteps followed harshly as Erik swerved through the alleyways, Veronica right on his heels. "Don't let them get away!" He was sick of hearing that line-rather he was absolutely done with these guards. Period.
Cursing he froze, nearly falling over as he reached a dead end. "Now what!?" The metallic footfalls grew louder with each passing second. Veronica glanced over her shoulder, already her staff was out, ready to frizz the soldiers to oblivion. Only to squeak when hands reached for her waist, lifting her off the ground.
"Hang on!" Her eyes grow wide as he leaps. Using the brick walls and debris, he jumped and climbed to reach the roof with strength that went against his lithe, slim stature. Bringing them to safety. "Where'd they go?!" At least for the time being. The pair watched in relief as their followers rush right on by.
Not a single one of them even bothering to look up. "A warning next time would be nice!" With a huff, Erik drops her not so gently. "No time to give a warning when on the run Ronnie. We need to find Serena and Ace." She knew that already, he didn't need to remind her.
With a frown she rose, narrowing her eyes down to the city below. Nearly every corner of the city was covered with Heliodor knights. "I can't believe how quickly they overran Gondolia..." This was the worst possible scenario for them.
They had left the city for one day. One. Having a fairly easy time finding the magical water Serena needed to make the elixir. The enemies were a bit of a hassle(especially the damn succubats! Ace was NOT happy fighting those as they kept trying to puff puff Erik) but over all not too bad.
Yet within the time they were away, Jasper had managed to sneak himself and his units in. Waiting for their return. Of course they had no idea when Ace had lead them to the Doge's house. They were none the wiser as the big man himself opened the door, taken one look at them and allowed them in.
However that all changed the moment the tin cans jumped them from all sides. Screaming that they capture the darkspawn and his companions. All of them felt chills course through them as they took in the situation.
There was no room for them to fight, and they were surrounded on all sides. It took a literal miracle to save their asses. Ace's left hand began to glow just when they needed it, blinding everyone but them.
They pushed their way through the guards...only to get separated as magic spells and arrows were shot their way. "We need to keep moving." Veronica bit her lip as she glanced towards her companion. His eyes were hard as he stared down, holding a dagger tightly in his hand as he jutted his chin, encouraging her to follow.
And she did, keeping her gaze towards the streets, giving a quick prayer for their companions' safety before marching forward. "Why are they after her Erik?" She's replayed the story he told her over and over in her head since that night by the campfire, but something just didn't add up.
There should be no reason for this even happening. Ace was the Luminary-a hero of legends. Destined to combat evil. So...why did Heliodor treat her like this? Why was she called a darkspawn? It took a few moments for him to respond, his jaw twitching.
"I couldn't tell you why. All I know is these bastards are fucking blind if they truly believe that and are going to get a knife to the back if they try hurting her again." Never again. He'd sooner kill himself then let them have her.
Suddenly he went still, startling the little mage. "What are yo-!" Immediately he ducked down, dragging her with him as loud sounds of metal click clacking came rushing below them. Now on their bellies, the two inch to the edge, finding a bundle of soldiers gathering.
One taller and dressed differently then the rest spoke up. "Men we have our orders from Sir Jasper...burn the city to the ground!" One of the knights stumbled backwards. Astonished with the order. His horrified voice mirroring Erik and Veronica's feelings exactly.
"B-but why? The people here are innocent!" It didn't take long for the young soldier to be grabbed by the shoulder by his superior. "You don't question orders boy! The Darkspawn is Here. And anyone could be helping him while you're standing around talking back."
Veronica trembled, her hands clenched in fury. "We'll smoke the boy and his companions out-and should the city perish protecting him...so be it. Now move out!" They were monsters. "Now I can see why you've been so careful on our travels." It was no wonder the thief was constantly on edge.
"We've seen them up close and personal before. I'm hoping to avoid them all together." He knew...that most likely wasn't going to happen. Still he could hope, divine intervention came once before-lightning could strike twice right?
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Ace gritted her teeth as she extended her palms out in front of her. "Zap!" Lightning swiftly danced from her fingertips, striking the soldiers in front of her down before she immediately backpedals, sprinting across the bridge as she hurried to catch up to Serena.
The blonde was holding back tears as she gasped, terrified out of her mind as angry shouts echoed throughout the streets. "This way!" The two of them dashed through the winding pathways, sticking to the shadows as much as they could.
"What do we do Ace?" The two of them had been fighting while trying to escape their pursuers for ages now. And they still haven't found Erik or Veronica. "We need to find the others. Once we do...I'll zoom us out of here." It was too dangerous for any of them to stay here.
Forget the Rainbough, destiny meant nothing if they were dead. "Where could we go?" Ace had been contemplating that from the moment they managed to escape from the Doge's residence. As much as she hated to admit it there were very few places that they could go.
Cobblestone was in ruins and right next to Heliodor. Meanwhile Hotto and Gallopolis were on route to Gondolia. None of them were safe. Though they had Midno and the other horses thanks to Sylvando's bell-the caves and ruins she's been to before were full of monsters.
And as much as she'd like to say otherwise they couldn't fight these vast numbers. Just from evading capture they used up quite a bit of magic. It was only a matter of time before they get caught. "This is all my fault...if it wasn't for me-" Serena was not going to let her friend think so negatively.
Her fingers clenched down on Ace's bony shoulder, giving a swift shake with her face stern. "Don't blame yourself for this! You've done nothing wrong. And even IF that was the case we can't afford to have such thoughts!"
Taking a deep breath Ace nodded, thanking the spellcaster. She was absolutely right. Now wasn't the time for her to wallow in self pity, there were still things to do. "Quickly hide!" Together the two shuffled back, pressing themselves against stone.
Someone was coming...and if it was another guard they needed to be ready. As much as they've tried, the two of them weren't the best at stealth-especially without their blue haired rogue to guide them. Still they held their breath, muscles tensed as a shadow began growing larger.
Before Ace found herself attacked from above. Giving a sharp shriek as she fell onto her butt. Soft fur and a familiar purr made their eyes widen in surprise as Ace grabs at the heavy weight on her head. "Raja!?"
It was then the shadow revealed its owner. "There you are darlings!" Sylvando let out a sigh of relief, holding a hand over his chest. "Sylv? What are you doing here?" Most of the civilians that weren't helping the knights were hiding away in their homes, praying that this chaotic nightmare end.
Even though they knew he was only here for Signor Universo, they hadn't expected him to be out here in this madness looking for them. "I got worried when I heard those ruffians searching for you. They started asking all of the contestants if they saw anyone matching your descriptions."
Still they were grateful for his concern. "What in the Goddess's name happened?" He hissed those words quietly, absolutely outraged. "We found out Doge Rotondo's son was cursed into silence shortly after you left. We had made him some birdsong nectar to cure him when we were ambushed by Heliodorian knights."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Ambushed? "From the moment I met with the king of Heliodor i've been treated as a bad omen. He had sentenced me to death before Erik saved me-but...they have been chasing me all over Erdrea." All total nonsense!
The jester knew how to judge a persons character from his travels. As a jester he's met all sorts of people-Ace? This darling little burst of sunshine an evil entity? What a joke. "Up until now we've been lucky. But we got separated from the others and guards are everywhere." Ace held Raja close to her chest.
Sensing her worries the sabrecub gave her a comforting lick to her cheek. "It's...only a matter of time before they capture me again. And-" She didn't need to say anymore. Actually no-there was a lot more Sylvando wanted to know about her and her little thief's backstory, but that could wait.
He got the gist and knew that she needed to get out of here. Now. "Darlings listen and listen closely. Stored away on the docks I have a ship called the Salty Stallion. If you can make it there you can use it to escape." Automatically Ace shook her head.
"I'm not letting you get anymore involved then you already are Sylvando. Too many have fallen because of me." She looks so small and fragile then. His heart was being torn to pieces. How many times has she shied away from a kind hand because she was afraid of people getting hurt?
He had only been around her and the others for a little while, not counting the show and the race. Over all he really didn't know much about her. Where she was from, how old she was, why she went out on her journey he never knew the answers to.
He questioned of course, eager to chit chat away when setting up for camp. He certainly knew the twins and their backstories-but whenever the little light was brought up he had very little information given.
Serena and Veronica admitted what they could but truthfully didn't know much about her either. What they did know came from what they'd seen themselves while traveling and from Erik. Of course up till the end Erik didn't really talk to him, and when he did it was never about his lover.
But now that he thought about it NONE of them-not even Ace truly knew of Erik's past. He dodged and dismissed any questions thrown his way, saying it was none of their business. But Sylvando supposed at the end of the day it didn't matter what secrets there were.
He most certainly had some. And the precious boy was protective, fiercely so. Showing a heart of gold hidden within daggers and an occupation that made most people nervous if not suspicious of him. No wonder he fell for Ace with her accepting nature.
Now that he knew it made so much sense as to why loving couple were so close. And he could completely see why they were always on alert. If there was a bounty on her head of course they'd always look over their shoulders.
Still, he could further ponder and wonder about such matters another time. It was his job to bring smiles to the world-and he desperately needed to see a smile on Ace's face. Having such pained eyes and tears dropping down her cheeks did not suit her at all.
Gently he took her hand in his. "Ace dear. You don't need to be afraid for little ole me. Those knights will get a good thrashing should they try anything. But I'm not going to stand by as they try going after you. Who knows what Erik darling will do to me if I don't~"
She gave him a smile, small but genuine, but it didn't erase her concerns. "But what about the others?" He gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Leave it all to me. I promise you our feisty mage and loyal thief will be reunited with you in no time. Come come~"
to be continued
Author Notes: Phew so much chaos in so little time. FYI why can't we just charge through and keep fighting? We can easily zoom out of town to hit rest stops, we can speak to the lovely church people and save-so what's the deal lol.
I dont know how many times Sen complained when we realized he couldn't just smash his way through the lines. Ce la vie I suppose. But I guess I gotta end it here-we'll see how things go now that we have two teams desperate to reunite.
Alrighty my dear friends, thank you so much for reading my story. If you like it i would appreciate it immensly if you faved/followed/reviewed. Always a treat to see people liking my stuff. See you all next time, tchao for now.