Chapter 6: Can Love Bloom Beyond Worlds?
Author's Note: Hello everybody. A quick chapter this time around as I wanted to wrap up character interactions before the...well if you played the game you know what is coming next. As you probably notice I am going to just speed run monster encounters unless I need some character bonding otherwise. As for chapter lengths it will vary depending on what I need from it. Hence why this one is shorter than the last one...which honestly went on longer than I intended. Either way I hope you enjoy the chapter, this is TheFoolOfTheNoon signing off!
/
Ichiban and the gang said their goodbyes to the happy couple. The ex-yakuza was amused that Hamtaro went back to being pampered by Bijou. His head sitting on her lap in pure content.
"You earned it Hamtaro. Enjoy your rewards," Ichiban said under his breath as they finally exited the castle.
"Well, that's done, so where do we go now Kasuga?" Nanba asked.
"The Dark Lord headed east. So, my best guess is to follow him. Who knows what he's doing now?"
"Normally I would advise against following the big bad. However, judging by the map we have no other choice."
"Eh, Dark Lord Shmark lord, he ran after we beat his general. Hehe, maybe he ain't as tough as he looks?" Jack Frost said boastfully.
"That is a reckless thought to have Jack. People like that don't just run without a reason. He might as well be up to something. Best to stay on our toes in case he pulls something," Vivian gripped her wand tightly out of nervousness as such an attack could come from anywhere.
"Yeah, Vivian is right. Best to watch our backs if the Dark Lord decides to follow through on his threat. Though I have question Kasuga…that battle with the gorilla. During the last legs of the fight you…somehow changed the field and temporarily gave us access to our normal skills. How the hell you pulled that off?"
Ichiban sheepishly scratched his head, "I uh…don't know. All I know is that I felt this rising buildup of energy in me and boom! I somehow broke the game to give us that small window of opportunity to deal massive damage. It's like those times Nanba when we do those super attack on our foes back in our world."
"Don't you mean those times you let your imagination run wild? Still though, that crazy imagination of yours is going to prove useful here. Best to take advantage of it when we can."
"Yeah, plus its cool to see all of us attack at once like that."
There was some laughter among the group. Moving into the Arid Frontier and facing the monsters that were in their way. They took an alternate route from the one where they met Prince Bo and the Griffin. Nose Rocks, imps, goblins, moles, and the poison moths fell before them. Taking the time to farm for meals from the monsters and gold to improve their equipment. In the meantime, in all the break periods Ichiban and Vivian found time to talk to one another. Spending more nights in the Inn together and using the tickets to take breaks from the adventure.
Nanba and Jack Frost could only look on with amusement as they bonded into good friends, "Well Jack, looks like you are winning this bet."
"Heh, told yah. Those two have been giving themselves the lovey dovey eyes for a while now. Who you think is gonna confess first?"
"Kasuga easily, but when is the better question. It's only a matter of time I suppose."
"Hee-ho, a human falling in love with a ghost. Tale old as time. Though when we finished this adventure. Won't we head back to our own worlds? They can't really stay together can they?"
"Uh…you know, I kinda forgot about that detail. I just want Kasuga to be happy you know? He…lost a lot and trying to move forward in his life."
"Right…his father and stepbrother…you told me about them. I didn't think such things could happen to humans. It's like a tv drama."
"You don't know the half of it. Kasuga is putting on a brave face, but the loss of both of them still wounds him. The fact that great sage is a splitting mirror of Ichi's father…well I can imagine he has mixed feelings about him."
"So, getting a girlfriend would help with that?"
"Eh, more like a treatment. Another support to help him, though I didn't think it would a gal from another world. Then again, probably not the strangest thing to happen to either of us."
"Considering how you two just face these monsters head on. I don't think normal works with you two."
"Heh, you're alright Jack. If by some odd chance we can visit each other world. I'll make sure to treat you to something nice in mines."
"I'll be holding you to that!"
/
As Nanba and Jack Frost continued their talks. Ichiban and Vivian continued to enjoy their time together by a pond. The ticket brought them here this time and the two were sitting quite closely next to each other.
"So, you ran a successful management empire just because you just happen to have the same name as the original business? It must have been fate then that brought you and that company together. Considering you made it as big as it is now."
"Seriously, I didn't think I could pull it off, but it came with a nice bonus of owning a satellite laser cannon."
Vivian paused for a moment, "Execuse me, did you say a satellite cannon?"
"Yeah, its orbiting the planet back in my world. Apparently, it was owned by the Amon clan…somehow. I don't know all the details, but one press of a button will have it blast whatever is in front of me. Well, it can't now, but just one of the odd things in my neck of the woods."
"I'll say. Still goes to show how capable you are. Adapting easily to new challenges before you. That is an admirable trait to have," Vivian sighed, "Is that a trait of heroes? Because I seen it in Mario. It's that ability to raise others up and give them strength. You're no different."
"Hehe, thanks. Didn't think I would be compared to Mario, again."
"Well I don't know anybody better to compare to. Brave, courageous, kind, and handsome too, eep!" Vivian blushed furiously as she quickly realized what slipped out.
"Oh yeah, you had a crush on Mario didn't you?"
"Er…yeah. Keyword, had, as Mario already has somebody."
"Princess Peach, yeah…they been through a lot together. I am not surprised if they are together, but it's not said. But, hey any guy would be lucky to be with a girl like you."
"It's quite alright Ichiban. I have moved on from Mario and well…somebody else has my eye now," Vivian was internally working up her courage as she wanted to shoot her shot and not regret it.
"R-Really? I mean that's good, but wh-who do you got your eyes on?"
The shadow siren can see nervousness on his face. He is as shy as she is, so one of them must make the move. Gathering all of her strength she found her voice in this critical moment and laid it out for Ichiban to hear, "I-It's you Ichiban! I-I think I'm falling for you!"
Ichiban's eyes widen as the girl was taking small breaths as she tried to calm herself from the excitement she is feeling. "M-Me?! I-I uh…oh, um," He was having trouble finding the right words as his brain was trying to process the fact this young woman from another world just straight admitted to him that she is falling for him.
Thankfully Vivian noticed this after she herself calmed down and grabbed both of Ichi's hands which snapped him out of his mental malfunction state, "It's okay Ichi…nobody is here but us. Um, take your time."
"Right right…sorry, I just never thought anybody would be interested me like that. I mean, Vivian-chan, I'm not exactly what most women see as prince charming."
"Don't sell yourself short, my first crush was a short stout plumber."
"R-Right, well…it's only fair that I answer your feelings. I-I like you too Vivian-chan, I mean you call me kind, but I think you are more kind than me. Plus, you are cute to boot and well honestly, I never thought I would run into somebody out of the ordinary like you."
"Hehe, an out of the ordinary girl for an out of the ordinary guy. Still, it makes me happy that you like me too…whew. All that courage training really paid off."
The two continued to hold hands together for a moment before standing up, "Y-Yeah, um wow…I, I know we didn't say love, but this is really making my heart race."
"One step at a time Ichiban, but I do agree. It's hard to take it slow, but I really want to be sure of us. Considering…we are from two different worlds and all that."
"I uh…yeah forgot about that. Still, whatever happens I just know we can work things out together, somehow."
"Here's hoping," Vivian smiled as she kissed Ichiban on the cheek, "Let's head back, I am sure Nanba and Jack are bored waiting for us."
"Yeah, let's go Vivian-chan! To the next stage of our adventure!"
/
The group set off once again progressing through the Arid Frontier. Reaching what seems to be the border of the frontier. Before they took another step they were stopped by one of the guards from palace.
"Ichiban! If you'd wait just a minute, sir!" It seems like he was running to catch up to them the entire time, "Whew! You're about to enter Neksdor, the neighboring kingdom. Do be careful, all of you. Now, I must return to the castle!" The guard saluted before walking off. The team made a few comments before taking their leave as well. The latest path leading them into more enemies of the area giving them their version of a farewell.
The path was long and eventually it got too dark for them to continue. Making a camp in the path the team huddled around the campfire with one big tent for all of them to sleep in. With all of them around the fire, they would chat. Immediately Nanba would point out Ichiban and Vivian's closeness to each other.
"Well well, Kasuga, you and Vivian seem to be awfully close now," Nanba teased.
"Hehe, well…not to surprise everyone, but Vivian and I started dating the other day. We are exploring our feelings to be sure though."
"That's what dating is all about, but congrats you two. I hope things go well for all of you. Honestly, I'm just happy if both of you are. As bizarre the pairing is, the others are not going to believe you dating a shadow siren of all things."
"I don't think any of them will believe us going on this adventure either. But hey, enjoy the journey as they say."
"I know I'm going to enjoy my time. It feels nice being with someone who likes you back," Vivian said as she hugged Ichiban, "I already have a good feeling about this."
"Hehe-ho. Just let me know when the wedding bells start ringing. I have a service of doing wedding with a snow blow effect," Jack Frost smiled as the new couple blushed. Especially Ichiban who look more than flustered at the idea of a wedding.
"Too soon for that Jack! I think you shook up poor Ichiban too," she squeezed his hand to reassure the ex-yakuza which calmed him down. Though it didn't stop Nanba from laughing a bit.
"Yeah, she's a keeper Kasuga-san. Take good care of her and she'll take good care of you."
"I know, I plan to. Let's get some sleep, we got to finish the other half of this road before we reach Neksdor," Everyone agreed to that idea as they slept peacefully in their tent after putting the fire out. The coming morning the group would pack things up and continue their way down the road. Occasional monster attacks got in their way before they finally reached the inn.
/
At the inn the team would celebrate their achievement of reaching the end of the Greenhorne border and conquering their first major boss. Celebrating with food and drinks for the next leg of their journey to stop the Dark Lord. Spirits were high and into the night they celebrated until it was time to sleep and prepare for the next day. As they settled into their beds and let sleep take them. An ominous darkness was watching them from outside.
The Dark Lord makes good on his threats. They are the first to find out the hard way.