Yggdrasil's Ace

Chapter 26

Author Notes: I live! With a long overdue update. Im supposed to have more time to myself during the summer so what the hell am I doing being so busy! Sigh. It's fine, im here and I do not own Dragon Quest

3rd P.O.V

For awhile all Erik knew was darkness, but slowly his senses started to return. Causing him to wince and groan. He could feel pain all over his body, bruises, cuts-a cracked rib or three. It'd been awhile since he was so badly injured.

And he could feel his limbs bound. Rope? "Ahhh so the thief awakens at last." Erik opens his eyes, finding a smug Jasper looking down at him. "It's about time. How are you feeling? Not very well I'd assume considering the rough treatment my soldiers gave you."

He doesn't bother giving the knight a response. More focused on figuring out what happened to him, and though it takes a moment...he remembers. A swarm of memories flash into the forefront of his mind as he purposely ignores the blonde man's yammering.

Him and Veronica were on the roofs, searching for Ace and Serena.

Soldiers had found them and started hunting after them.

Erik threw the small spellcaster in one of the abandoned gondolas before slashing at the guards.

Only to fall when the numbers swarmed him.

Another small groan escaped him, his head pounding. Now he knew how Ace felt every time the poor girl had a headache. "Are you listening to me?!" And the prick in front of him wasn't helping matters at all.

"No." That blunt response earned him a swift kick in the stomach. "Urg!" The Heliodorian man scoffed, honestly irritated. "Let's cut to the chase thief. I want the Darkspawn...and you know where SHE is. So if you want to live, you'll tell me where she's hiding." He knew...

Erik found himself paling, though he kept his expression composed. "I don't know where He is. I haven't seen him since you went and ambushed us. But knowing him, he made a getaway ages ago."

There was a cold sensation spreading through his chest as Jasper laughed. "A feeble attempt boy. His majesty and Hendrik may not remember, but I was there when Dundrasil fell. I recall quite well her true gender and pedigree." This wasn't good.

He had to get out of here-he had to get to Ace! Valiantly Erik jerked against his restraints despite his wounds. But no matter how hard he moved, the ropes wrapped around his flesh just wouldn't budge. With his captor watching with an amused expression.

However that changed after a few minutes, his amusement turning into boredom. "I grow tired of this." In one swift, natural movement Jasper brings out his sword, pointing to towards Erik's chest. "I won't kill you...but I'm sure a few holes won't be too much of an issue."

Only to pause mid-strike as the sound of metal footsteps grow closer. "What is it?" Glancing behind his shoulder a soldier stands at attention. "Sir! We've caught sightings of the Darkspawn on the westside of the city. My unit is pursuing him as we speak!" This couldn't be happening.

Erik growled, fighting his confines once more. "I told you that he's already made a beeline out of here! What idiot would stay?" He would say whatever he'd have to if it means her getting out of here. And...as much as he tried to ignore it, there was a slight chance he was actually right.

Serena and Midno could've easily gotten her out of danger, forced her to run as far away from this town as possible. The rogue knew Ace would probably put up a fight, not wanting to leave him behind. But if it was down between her life and his, it would always be hers.

"Not a nice thing to say boy. She won't leave, not so long as you're here. I've taken her home, her family...so long as I have you-her little friend, she will remain." The elder man chuckled, seeing his kidnapped victim snarl. "Bastard! By the Goddess I will make you pay."

And Erik would. He could still remember the night Ace cried over her destroyed home. Or on some nights she would awaken with a startled gasp, trying to silence her tears just so she wouldn't bother him or the rest of the group.

Never would he forgive Jasper or Heliodor for what they've done to her. "And how are you going to do that? You're tied up, an easy target for me to ram my sword through or throw spells at. At my complete mercy!" To prove his point Jasper delivered another harsh kick into Erik's chest.

"Ah!" Most definitely breaking a rib that time. Instead of grimacing though blue haired teen musters a smile, fighting the agony he was in to taunt the man. "You'd be surprised at what I could do." Breathing in and out, again, and again once more, he continues.

His eyes filled with determination. "I managed to get the Luminary out of your sadistic clutches in less than a day right under your nose. At any point I could've gotten away, but I took the most valuable treasure of them all from you. Yggdrasil's favorite leaf and the Goddess's Chosen..."

Any future injuries he received would be worth it all just for what Erik was looking at right now. Seeing the sneaky, pompous warrior grow red in the face, his expression SCREAMING rage. "You...!" Because in the end it was all true.

"As Ace told Hendrik and his men...May the Goddess cast judgement on your twisted bastard soul." Despite his and Hendrik's reputation of being the brains and brawns of Heliodor they were shamed that day.

Even if he should die here and now, it's not going to change the fact that Ace was still free. "I'LL KILL YOU!" That she was still alive. "FRIZZ!" Jasper barely had a moment to blink as he leaped back, away from Erik. "FRIZZ!" Again another was thrown down.

Forcing the knight to move even further away. "No way..." But at this point Erik couldn't care about that. "What is this!?" He was more interested in the beautiful angel swooping down before him. On some sort of fire creature, Ace descended down from sky.

Her hair fluttering off her shoulders as she summoned her magic. "So you've finally arrived Darkspawn..." Ace remained silent as she stepped forth, blocking Erik's injured frame. The fire monster moved close to the thief, growing smaller and smaller.

"Raja?" Before revealing the little meowing, winged sabrecub. "No way..." Immediately the furball began gnawing at the rope, eager to get him loose. "Sir Jasper!" Which needed to happen soon with how the knights were starting to gather.

Growing larger in number. "Hurry up Raja!" Despite the danger they were clearly in Ace was completely calm, showing nothing on her face as she unsheathed her sword. "Get out of here Ace!" There were too many now. "Have a little faith Erik."

It was then he was released, rushing to her side, momentarily forgetting the pain to grab her shoulder. "You should've left." At any point in time she could've used her zoom spell, or used a chimera wing from her bag or hell even Raja(how the hell was she able to ride her? The monster was still a tiny thing!) to escape.

But she stayed, still relaxed even as knights went about surrounding them. "I'm not leaving without my partner." The odds were against them, yet Erik still took out a dagger that was strapped to his leg(Jasper was such an idiot.)

"Don't make me fall for you now Ace." The two were back to back, the presence was reassuring. "I think I'm owed a date for this one." He snorted, wondering where his lover got the confidence in such a harrowing situation.

But hell, he's believed in her since they met, and she's never steered him wrong before. Why start now? "How cute. Men...take them." The Luminary huffed, smiling as she raised her left hand. "Zap!" Her favorite spell rained down bolts of lightning.

Quite literally zapping all of the soldiers, knocking them down within an instant. "WHAT!?" At least two dozen soldiers, if not more, were unconscious, painfully twitching and paralyzed on the ground. "Damn..." Veronica had mentioned Ace was a lot more powerful after helping Princessa.

But that was overkill. And he was so proud. "Why you!" The only one still upright to oppose them was Jasper. However Ace brought her hand down, clasping hers over Erik's free one. Her voice low while tilting her head back.

"In a moment we're going to make a mad dash to the ocean. Do you trust me?" He gave her fingers a squeeze. "Do you really need to ask?" Of course he did. "No, but it makes me feel better." If the situation wasn't so insane and still somewhat dangerous he'd laugh.

The most he could do was snort before there was a sharp whistle. And it was then Ace began to move. "Bang!" She sent one last spell Jaspers way before sprinting away, pulling Erik right with her. And he kept up despite the state he was in. "Raja!"

The feline monster took off, flapping her wings to take to the sky. "Sizzle!" Just as the two leaped for the ocean, the flames hit Raja, engulfing her entire body. "MROOOWW!" The fire grew around the sabrecub, making her larger.

Temporarily morphing her into a beast that was easily able to catch them. "Whoa!" Erik grabbed onto the Luminary's back, marveling at the fact that neither of them were burning, as well as the fact that they were Flying.

"Get back here Darkspawn!" They heard the spell being cast, but were unable to avoid it as Erik wrapped his arms around Ace. Taking the hit. "Erik!" The sensation was nothing he had ever felt before. He couldn't describe it as he gritted his teeth. "Don't worry about me! Ahh..." All he knew was that he was in agony.

Falling unconscious only moments later, returning to the darkness once more.

to be continued

Author Notes: don't worry I'm not going to kill Erik. I love that boy too muc to kill so put down the pitchforks and torches-and the knives, definitely the knives. Torturing him be a different story but oh look at the time. Gotta end it here, yes sir.

Alright guys in all seriousness i do gotta wrap this up. As always thank you all so much for reading, if you like please feel free to fav/follow/review as it means a crap ton to me to see yo guys liking my story and I'll see you next time. Tchao for now.