Journey To Castle Csejte Chapter 5:
The Castle Village
Day 5
After the group searched high and low for Fou the day previous, they soon learned that it was all for naught, and that Fou was indeed not in that town. But they did not go empty handed, and had gotten some information that could possibly be a lead as to where he could be. So without much thought, they agreed to spend the night at an inn, and leave early in the morning. But not without all the shiny trinkets she and Kiyohime bought, and with their new donkey friend agreeing to carry it all, they set out. Liz was happily humming away as she led the group merrily towards their next destination. Carmilla, on the other hand, remained unhappy and scowling in the presence of her Lancer self's joy. She really wasn't happy with where they had to go.
The Castle Csejte.
"Careful Liz!" Mata Hari said with a giggle, enjoying seeing the Lancer so peppy. "You need to focus on your surroundings or you'll trip!"
"I'm being careful!" Liz countered. "I'm paying attention to where I'm-oof!"
No sooner did she say that, Liz tripped over a pebble and fell on her face. Before anyone could help pick her up, Liz got up and dusted herself off and smiled proudly. "I meant to do that!"
Ritsuka chuckled as he scratched their new donkey companion's ears. "Good to see her in such high spirits."
The donkey neighed and shook its head up and down, nuzzling the boy making Iris smile a bit. "He agrees with you."
"What else is he saying?" Ritsuka asked.
"That he wants some apple slices apparently."
Ritsuka sighed. "I just gave him some ten minutes ago."
The donkey neighed again, brushing up against the young man, making the girls aside from Carmilla and Gunnhild giggle. "Oh fine, have it your way you big goof."
Ritsuka reached into his pocket and carefully fed the donkey some apple slices before putting the rest back into a bag and back into his pocket. "This big guy sure is a talkative one isn't he."
"He's got a name you know." Iris replied.
"Really?" Eric asked. "What is it then?"
"Philip." Iris answered.
"Does that mean he has an owner?" Kiyohime asked.
"No, all animals know their own individual names from when they are born." Iris answered.
"She's right," Gunnhild replied. "It's like when people are born and are named. Each animal has their own name and identity from the moment they are born as well."
Ritsuka's eyes widened like saucers and he started to shake. "Then that means that Sora might have his own name ... .and we had been using a name that isn't his…Or maybe that was his real name…..I am now questioning everything I have known!"
"Relax Ritsuka, I'm pretty sure that that's his real name too." Iris countered. Philip the donkey then nuzzled against the green haired woman, startling her for a moment before she chuckled and rubbed his head. "Okay okay, I'll feed you some sliced bananas later for dinner."
As that was happening, Mata Hari and Gunnhild noticed Carmilla remaining silent, her face scowling more than usual.
"Carmilla, try to cheer up!" Mata Hari said. "We're heading to your castle!"
"You can be all cheery and happy all you want, but leave me out of this," Carmilla replied harshly. "To me it feels annoying and off putting."
"It's a nice distraction after everything we went through already in this Singularity, captain." Mata Hari countered playfully.
"Is that why you wanted to shop with the snake girl and that bratty Lancer?" The white haired Assassin asked harshly.
"It was also a way for those two to bond," Mata Hari answered. "I just think they'd be good friends if they could just stop bickering."
"So it wasn't so you could get some nice jewels for yourself too?" Gunnhild asked.
"I have no need or any desire for any jewels or finery," Mata Hari replied. "At least not anymore. What I really want…..well, its the one thing that has always seemed to elude me. I don't think I'll ever get it at this rate."
Ritsuka and Mashu stared at the Assassin, and saw her posture sag. Her eyes closed in sadness as the faintest hint of despair in her tone. It was clear what she truly desired, but given everything she had to endure, it was no surprise she'd feel this way.
"I think you will find what you are looking for one day." Mashu said with a small smile.
"Yeah, Mashu's right," Ritsuka replied. "It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, but we know one day you'll achieve it."
Mata Hari stared at them in slight surprise, studying their posture and their smiles. She soon smiled and gave each a pat on the head. "Thanks, I appreciate the sentiment."
"Anchin, I have a question," Kiyohime said while holding the group's map. "It seems that the best way to get to the town closest to Castle Csejte is to cross the area where we encountered Lu Bu a few days ago….."
Everyone went silent for a few moments and a chill ran down their spines. They remembered how brutal their first encounter with Lu Bu went, and how easily he beat them all. They could easily take another way around to the castle, but that would risk taking too much time, and that would risk Fou's trail going cold. It was risky, but this was probably the only way to make good time. Liz recovered first, wanting to make it to her old home as fast as possible to show everyone the sights and for them to truly be in awe of her splendor. If they only saw her castle, that would make even Kiyohime bow to her in respect! The thought of how the snake girl would apologize profusely for snarking at her and questioning her skills felt like music in her ears. She also imagined how Ritsuka, Mashu and Mata Hari would praise her for how well she would treat them as guests in the town, and perhaps beg for V.I.P seats for her next concert. Oh how excited she was to hear their praise and adulations that she began to move faster down the trail. "Come on slow pokes! We have to get moving!"
As soon as she took off, the Chaldean team immediately rushed after her, with Iris hobbling behind the rest trying to catch up. In the process Eric Bloodaxe and Gunnhild were left behind to walk together.
"Heh, they're sure a lively bunch, aren't they dear?" Gunnhild asked.
"That they are," Eric said. "What else can you think about them?"
Gunnhild thought for a few moments, rubbing her chin as she stared at them and saw how the majority of them were smiling, and laughing. "They're a colorful bunch, not letting anything phase them for long. And they're all tough bastards."
"Are you sure about that?" Eric asked. "The boy doesn't seem that tough."
"When we fought them last, he kept attacking me when that Shield girl was down," Gunnhild said. "He sprained his ankle just to try and hurt me. And that girl threw me like a ragdoll the moment I had her Master in my sights."
Eric raised an eyebrow. "So he's a reckless fool."
"Perhaps that is what we'll need to solve this Singularity," Gunnhild countered. "And with the amount of people around him, he can afford such a thing."
"Yeah you're right," Eric said. "It might serve us well if we encounter that Lu Bu guy."
Gunnhild shrugged. "That remains to be seen. We will have to tread carefully for now."
Eric noticed the others waving to them, clearly telling them to catch up to them. "Let us drop the matter for now. Otherwise they might get angry for making them wait."
Gunnhild giggled. "Then let us not waste any time."
Eric held his arm out and Gunnhild took hold, resting her head on his shoulder as they made their way towards the group and smiling as they caught up. Gunnhild noted Mata Hari's mischievous smile, and rolled her eyes in amusement as the husband and wife duo got into their positions in the formation and began speaking to the others of the group.
"Okay, so how long until we get to the town where Castle Cjeste is?" Iris asked.
"It should be about one week." Carmilla answered coldly. "That is if we do not get distracted."
"And we might have to deal with Lu Bu on the way…." Ritsuka muttered.
"We'll worry about him when we get there." Eric replied.
Ritsuka nodded as they all made their silent agreements, and looked back at the town they left, and felt the wind blow on their faces. While this place wasn't as bad as the last place, they still felt a slight unease as they left.
Day 12
The time had flown quickly, and the team had now made it passed where they first encountered Lu Bu. Their breaths became shallower and slower as they looked around to check for any signs of the raging Berserker. The fact that the woods around them are completely silent was becoming unnerving for Mashu and Iris, but Eric and Gunnhild were not so easily intimidated, and calmly observed the area without a hint of concern. Ritsuka noted their demeanor, and soon felt something odd. The fact that Lu Bu hadn't revealed himself was surprising, yet also curious. The young Master decided to take a risk and activated his communicator, looking at Roman and Tatsuko staring back at him. "Is he here?"
Roman shook his head. "We've been looking for his signal, but we don't see anything out of the ordinary."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, it's like he decided to fuck off and dip." Tatsuko answered. "He's not in the immediate area."
The group stared at the holographic form of Roman and Tatsuko with uncertainty. Why would this Berserker leave his territory like this if he was to prevent others from finding the previously plagued town? Did their burning it down make him leave? Or was there another force at work here…..?
"There's something else you should know…." Roman said. "The other towns you visited…..we noticed something was wrong when you left the last town, and decided to take a look at that and the first town…they're now experiencing the same plague that you encountered earlier."
A chill ran down the Chaldeans spines. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. They didn't want to believe it. The plague had reached them already?!
"But how?!" Liz shouted. "We were only at the last town for a day, and the first town a few hours!"
"Did….did we somehow spread the plague?" Mashu asked in concern.
"No, you did not." Davinci said from behind Roman. "Your Mystic Codes would have killed the plague before it even entered your bodies, and the Servants cannot spread diseases unless it's part of their skills or Noble Phantasms."
"The speed of how this plague spread doesn't give any good implications…." Ritsuka countered.
Kiyohime froze in place. "Do ... .do any of you think that the Castle Csejte and the castle town have been affected as well?"
"N-no it hasn't!" Liz said in a scared tone. "You take that back!"
"I'm sorry," Kiyohime said sadly. "It's just given the circumstances…."
"It is definitely a possibility," Carmilla replied. "We cannot rule out that its experiencing the same troubles as everywhere else."
"If it is any consolation, it seems that the plague is spreading very slowly in the other towns," Roman chimed. "In fact I think if we're lucky there might actually be survivors this time."
Liz breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, otherwise I'd lose so many fans….."
"And when you clear the Singularity, everything will return to-"
The sound of Philip neighing and kicking his hind legs in fear gripped everyone's attention. Ritsuka and Iris immediately stroked the donkey gently to soothe it. That was when they felt the shaking on the ground. The Chaldean Servants, Eric and Gunnhild readied their weapons as they felt the ground tremble beneath their feet.
"Is it Lu Bu?" Liz asked.
"No I don't think so," Roman said. "It doesn't have a Servant's signature, wait a minute….this signature feels familiar."
"What do you mean?" Mashu asked. As she said that, Ritsuka caught a whiff of something familiar in the air. It smelled of iron and blood, a scent that sent a shiver down his spine.
Roman and Tatsuko took a better look at the screen, and soon, the orange haired Master's face went pale. "Oh shit….oh this is not good."
"What is it?" Carmilla asked.
Ritsuka's eyes widened in horror as the gears turned in his head. He remembered where he caught this scent before. All the way back in Okeanos. "RUN!"
"But why?!" Eric asked.
"We don't have time!" Ritsuka shouted. "Eric just pick up Philip and run!"
As soon as he said that, a snort rang out in the air and they all slowly turned to face the source, and the Berserker and his wife stared right at the snout of what was causing the snorts, and soon realized why Ritsuka was so scared.
Staring right back at them was the Ravenous Dreadlord.
"SKREEEEOOOOOOOONNNNNKKKKKK!"
The majority of the group, barring Carmilla, shrieked in fear and as soon as Eric grabbed Philip the donkey and Iris leapt into Gunnhild's arms, the entire group bolted with all the speed they could muster. The Ravenous Dreadlord immediately gave chase, snapping its jaws whenever it got close. Ritsuka was nearly taken by its bite, but Mata Hari immediately grabbed his arm and scooped him into her own arms to run. Without any hesitation, Ritsuka and Iris fired spell after spell to try and blind the Ravenous Dreadlord, but all they managed to do was anger the Phantasmal Beast, and it lowered its jaw, scraping the ground with its teeth to try and hit them with debris.
Mashu used her shield to block any kind of stone or branch to protect the others, but in the process she soon became the last in the group, closest to the beast. The Ravenous Dreadlord swooped down to try and snatch her in its jaws, but Mashu leapt out of the way and caught up with the group, with fear in her eyes.
"What do we do?!" Mashu asked frantically. "That creature is nigh unstoppable!"
"I don't know!" Ritsuka answered. "Iris, you said that these things are persistent right? How do we get rid of this thing?"
"Unfortunately we don't have a wyvern to distract it this time!" Iris shouted. "And it doesn't tire out easily…."
"Guys, I hate to break it to you, but at the speed you're going, you're going to reach the castle town very soon!" Tatsuko said from the comms.
"Well we can't lead it inside!" Liz shouted. "It'll ruin my venue!"
"And we can't outrun it forever either!" Eric shouted back.
"We should probably split up and divide its attention," Carmilla said. "With any luck whoever it chooses to chase will be fast enough to tire it out."
"I just said they don't tire out easily!" Iris shouted. "Were you not paying attention?!"
"Guys, we're right at the gates!" Mata Hari shouted. The group turned their attention and saw the gates of the town coming into view. Strangely enough, the guards remained calm and simply left their gates to the town open. What's more, the guards seem to be beckoning for the group to move faster so they can reach the gates. Soon, Mashu felt a lightbulb go off in her head.
"I might have a way to get it off our trail!" She said loudly. She rummaged through her shield and soon brought out a humorously large piece of raw steak in her hands, with all the strength she could muster, she threw it right at the Ravenous Dreadlord. Its eyes smoldered and glared at the group as it saw the meat fly right towards it. It stopped in its tracks, and opened its maw to catch the morsel into its mouth, and ripped into it, tearing it to shreds, and left the group alone. Everyone made it into the entryway, and the guards closed the gates as soon as they got inside. The group took deep, long breaths to try and get their bearings, staring back at the King of Beasts. The phantasmal beast stared back at them angrily, ripping into its meal as it stared daggers at them and snarled. While the food would satisfy it for some time, the phantasmal beast wanted them in particular, but it failed, which only angered it further. Soon, after finishing its meal, it got up and stomped away angrily roaring in frustration.
"Wow, that guy was really not happy." Liz said clutching her chest.
"Aye…..that is strange….." Iris said. "That meat was sufficient to satisfy its hunger for a time, but it was definitely angry that we got away….how strange."
"Why is that strange?" Carmilla asked.
"Ravenous Dreadlords are ruled by their stomach and desire for dominance," Iris said. "If it sees a better meal it will chase after that and then return to find the previous target. They usually do not care about an escape if they can get them later. But this…..it felt like it knew us…."
Roman widened his eyes from the comms and nearly went slack as he fell to his chair. "You can't be serious….."
"What now, Roman?" Davinci asked.
"Guys, I don't know how to tell you this, but that was the same Ravenous Dreadlord that Ritsuka, Mashu and Tatsuko encountered in the Okeanos Singularity…"
Everyone's jaws nearly fell to the floor in disbelief. This had to be some kind of cruel joke. There was no way that this could be the same one. However, as soon as they saw the look in Roman's and Tatsuko's eyes, they knew it was true.
"Wait seriously?!" Tatsuko shouted from the comms. "How in the hell did that thing go from one singularity to another, much less two different countries?!"
"I don't know!" Roman replied. "But the scans show that it's the same one!"
(OC: Oh, so that's where Vlad sent the guy after it wrecked our studio back then…..Sorry guys but we had to send it somewhere!)
"Well, regardless, it's gone now." Mata Hari said, trying to calm everyone down.
Ritsuka nodded and looked up to see the guards coming down to greet them. "Thanks for keeping the gate open for us, for a moment we thought we were goners!"
"Well we couldn't leave you all to such a terrible fate." One of the guards said.
"In that case you should be rewarded for saving your betters," Liz said after regaining her composure. The Lancer got up and dusted herself off and smiled. "As you may have noticed, I am indeed your beloved countess!"
"Do not humor them!" Carmilla shouted. The white haired Assassin got up and clacked her heels together, snapping the guards to attention. "I am your true countess, and I demand you tell me what has happened in this town while I was gone!"
The guards looked at each other for a few moments before raising their eyebrows and shook their heads.
"The last countess we had died some time ago," The other guard said. "We do not have a countess at the moment, but we will tell you everything we know anyway."
Carmilla remained calm in the face of their response. She loosened the grip on her stave and raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "How is it that you remained calm in the face of such a monster outside our home?"
"Because we have a barrier granted to us by the Lord himself!" One of the guards said.
Iris took note of the statement and sensed that there was indeed a barrier around the town. A powerful Bounded field, but not truly enough to prevent the Ravenous Dreadlord from breaking it down if it truly wanted to. She could only feel relief that the phantasmal beast didn't decide to actually test that theory….
"We have heard tales of plagues ravaging the lands," Carmilla said. "Is it true here as well?"
The guards stared at each other in discomfort for a few moments. It was all that the group needed to know of the situation. Liz felt her chest tighten, the Lancer didn't want to believe it. Her beloved followers and fans were facing it even here?
"No….No I don't believe it! You're lying!"
"Sorry, but its true, but its gonna be-"
Before the guardsman could finish, Liz ran off, startling everyone. Kiyohime gave chase, signaling the others to stay there and get more information while she went after the Lancer alone. While the others were concerned with this turn of events, they knew they had no choice but to trust the Berserker to catch her.
"Ignore her, she's too emotional for her own good," Carmilla said calmly and coldly, earning a quick glare from Mata Hari. "Now, what were you about to say?"
"We were going to say that the plague has come here…but it is quarantined," The guardsman continued. "It is spreading quickly, but thankfully it is not as severe as other places. Everyone who catches it is still breathing, but they aren't exactly in a good state."
Ritsuka felt some relief that the people afflicted weren't dying, but another part of him felt that same dread as he did back when he first encountered this sickness. Neither he, Iris nor Gunnhild could cure them, so it would be inevitable that they would be helpless in the face of this terror. "Thanks for the information, but is there a tavern anywhere near here so we can catch our breath?"
One of the guardsmen nodded and smiled. "Take a left here and then make your way to the town square, the best tavern will be right in front of you. You can't miss it."
With a thankful nod the group watched as the guardsmen returned to their posts and Ritsuka saw the curious looks from the others. "What?"
"Shouldn't we go after Liz and Kiyohime?" Iris asked.
"They'll be fine," Ritsuka answered calmly. "I think it'll be best if Kiyohime handles this alone, otherwise we'd just overwhelm Liz."
Carmilla smiled. "Let the snake girl handle the brat. I for one would love to sit down and be attended to by this establishment that those men suggested."
No one could argue with the Blood Countess, for fatigue and shock still rang in their bodies. They soon took the left as the guards suggested and headed towards the tavern. Iris and Mata Hari felt a presence behind them and turned around, but when they did, they saw nothing but the road behind them. They looked at each other with slight unease before catching up to the others. Unbeknownst to them, someone skulked in the shadows, tailing them. The mystery person soon melded back into the alleyways to continue stalking their quarry.
Kiyohime made her way through the town, trying to find any sight of Liz she could. Unfortunately she was unfamiliar with the layout of the area, so she had no way to figure out her bearings. Thankfully, after a few moments, she heard the sound of sniffling and recognized the direction it came from. She turned the corner and found Liz, her eyes puffy and red, curled up in the alleyway. Normally seeing her in such a state would amuse her, but now? She can't help but feel sad alongside her.
"Are you okay?"
Liz looked up and saw Kiyohime staring at her with concern. The Lancer shook her head and hugged her knees. "It's this plague…..why did it have to come here…..?"
"I wasn't aware that you actually cared about that…" Kiyohime muttered.
"Of course I do," Liz countered. "I'm not like Carmilla. I don't like seeing people die like this, especially if this plague is man made…."
Kiyohime nodded and sat down right alongside Liz and sighed. "It bothers me too….."
"I could tell…" Liz replied.
"I wish I knew what to say to comfort you," Kiyohime said. "I know this must be difficult for you."
Liz stared at the Berserker in slight confusion. "Who are you, and what have you done with Kiyohime?"
Kiyohime stared at the girl in bewilderment for a few seconds before giggling. "Do you remember when you lied to Anchin for me a few days ago? Well, I hate lies, and you know it. Yet you did so anyway to cover something I said. I guess you aren't so bad afterall…."
Liz felt a smile form on her face. "Thanks, now how about we…hang on, do you see those guys over there?"
Kiyohime turned to face where the Lancer pointed and noticed several robed figures, their faces obscured with their hoods, slowly walking towards an unknown destination. They took a better look at the robes and noted that on the back was a small emblem of a beast leaping at pigs.
"Hey Liz, were there any people who wore such weird robes back when you ruled this land?"
"No," Liz said as she squinted a little more to make out the emblem better. From the distance they were at they wouldn't be able to see it without following them. The two girls looked at each other and mentally debated on whether to go inform the others of this oddity, or to stalk these people from the shadows. The latter thought won out, and the two girls started to slink in the shadows to keep up with their targets.
They followed them for what felt like forever, hiding behind corners whenever they felt like the figures got suspicious, sneaking whenever they were in the clear. Eventually, they were rewarded and found where these robed figures were headed. It was an abandoned shack, ruined and in tatters. But before that, there was a small sign in the front, with the symbol in the center being one of white fluff. The girls raised an eyebrow at such a strange symbol, but before they could take a better look, a few shadows loomed over them, and several more hooded figures revealed themselves behind the two girls.
"Uh oh…" Liz muttered. "Somehow they found us."
"It wasn't that hard. You two are really terrible at sneaking around, you know." One of the hooded figures said.
"Nuh uh," Kiyohime said. "I'll have you know we are experts at stealth!"
"Oh really now?" One of the other hooded figures asked. "Hate to break it to you, but we could hear you two because of that other girl's fake tail!"
Liz gasped in offense. "Hey! I'll have you know that this tail is thin and perfect, just like the rest of me!"
The rest of the robed figures looked at each other as if confused by that statement. The two girls looked at each other for a few moments as well, pondering if they should escape and inform the others, but before they could, the robed figures returned their attention to them again. "Regardless, you have seen the entrance to our lair, and we cannot let you two go. Your fates shall be decided by our high priest and our lord and savior!"
Before Liz could brace herself, Kiyohime gave her a look, and the Lancer realized her intentions. Whoever these guys are, they were suspicious and running around Liz's city. The best thing they could do is play along, and allow themselves to be taken prisoner by these weirdos to gather information before they break out and inform the others.
"Fine, we'll go quietly," Liz said. "But ground rules first, no touching the goods! And for the love of everything you hold sacred, if you want to tie us up with rope it better be the fancy kind!"
The robed figures stared at the Lancer in bewilderment before Kiyohime gasped and smiled. "Silk rope only! And make sure it has ribbons!"
"You cannot be serious…." Another of the hooded men said.
"Oh I actually have exactly that!" A female voice rang out. The hooded women stepped up and in her arms was a silk rope that oddly enough had ribbons. Liz and Kiyohime gasped in delight and before they could even react, the woman tied their wrists together. "Now, let us proceed to our lair with our guests."
"Hold on!" One of the other hooded figures shouted. "Where did you even get that rope?!"
"The High Priest gave it to me," The woman answered. "If we are to take in unwanted guests, he and I agreed we must do it with some class."
"Finally someone who gets it!" Liz replied.
"Someone who understands how to treat proper ladies like us!" Kiyohime said.
"Of course!" The hooded woman chimed. "These boys don't know class when they see it!"
"Boys are always weird." Liz countered.
The hooded woman giggled. "They sure are!"
The three women giggled more as the hooded woman led the two Servants towards the shack while the men stared at them in annoyance. While they did capture two intruders, they felt as if they were being mocked anyway….
(Meanwhile)
The main group reached the tavern the guardsmen suggested and after tying Philip's reigns to one of the posts close to the tavern, they went inside and found a table that would house all of them. Unfortunately for Carmilla, it was not the type of table that matched her tastes, but given the size of their group, she had to grit her teeth and bare it.
"My legs are better than this table's…." She muttered in disappointment.
"I agree this table looks pretty….plain," Mata Hari said. "My own legs put this table to shame!"
As if to prove her point, Mata Hari raised one of her luscious legs with a flirtatious smile. Carmilla grinned and licked her lips as she saw the woman's leg and chuckled as she caught Mata Hari glancing back at her. Gunnhild rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Okay, let's get back to business."
"Oh fine, but only because you asked nicely." Mata Hari said playfully.
"Then let us review what we know," Mashu said. "We know that there is a quarantined area in the village where those afflicted with the plague are placed. And this village now has a bounded field that is supposed to protect them from the Ravenous Dreadlord."
"Unfortunately for them it won't work against it if it really wanted them," Iris said. "They're just lucky that it decided to stay away."
"Is it possible that it sensed the plague and is staying away from it?" Ritsuka asked.
"It's highly likely," Iris answered. "The Ravenous Dreadlord is an intelligent creature, so it probably knows that if it ate any of the sick people here, it'd get infected by the plague too."
"Then why don't we talk to the afflicted and see if they know anything of how it started here." Mata Hari suggested.
"That won't be necessary, I have my own thoughts on the matter."
Everyone turned to see a man approaching them. He was of average height, and plain of face. His smile felt faked by Mata Hari's observation, but he also seemed very harmless. As the man approached them he cleared his throat. "Greetings, my name is W-"
The man gasped as Mashu swung her hand and bonked him on the head. Mashu soon gasped and rushed to check on the man. "I am so sorry! My hand just reacted on its own!"
"It's quite alright," The man said. After composing himself he got up and shook his head to orient himself again. "As I was saying, my name is Wu-"
Bonk!
The man clutched his head as Iris used her shillelagh to bonk him upside the head. "Oh sorry about that, for some reason my hand slipped!"
"It is fine my dear," The man said, albeit with a low and pained hiss. "My name is Wul-"
SMACK!
The man growled in pain as Ritsuka slammed the top of his fist on the top of the man's head. "I don't know why, but I don't feel sorry for that."
"Well aren't you an honest one!" The man said, glaring at the boy. "My name is Wulbren, and I-"
"Hiyah! Karate Chop!"
The man did not have time to react as Mata Hari used her hand to bonk him upside the head. The Assassin gasped and looked at Ritsuka. "Sorry, that sort of slipped out….that wasn't offensive, right?"
"Not to me it isn't," Ritsuka answered. "In fact that was oddly amusing."
"Senpai, you are being very mean!" Mashu exclaimed in astonishment. "I am so sorry for me and my friends. We do not know what came over us."
"Thank you…" The man named Wulbren said. "Now, as I was about to say, ever since this plague has been ravaging the land, there has been a cult that sprang up."
The group raised an eyebrow each and leaned closer to Wulbren. "Ah so that caught your attention, eh?"
"What do you know of this cult?" Iris asked.
"It has mainly popped up in villages closer to our village," Wulbren continued. "Many towns had fallen under its influence because they thought that it would protect them from the plague. Well, one of them didn't fall prey…such a tragedy, for it to have been burned down recently…"
"I see…." Carmilla said. "Tell us the name of this cult."
"I cannot say for certain," Wulbren answered. "I thought it was called the Coven of the Beast, but thanks to my sources, I have reason to believe that its real name is the Cult of the Rabbit."
"And where do they get their converts now?" Gunnhild asked. "And do you know where they are located?"
"I think they get their numbers from those who are infected with the plague," Wulbren answered. "As for where they are located, I do not know."
"Then we better ask around," Ritsuka said. "Thanks for the information."
"It was my pleasure." Wulbren said. With a small bow, he slinked away out of the tavern, leaving everyone to think over the information given to them. This Cult of the Rabbit is taking their numbers from the plague victims, and wherever the plague appears the cult follows…..
Ritsuka decided to contact Kiyohime and Liz via telepathy to try and inform them of what transpired, but neither of them answered. He tried again, but to no avail. Everyone looked at him in confusion, and he soon grew concerned. "I can't reach Liz or Kiyohime."
"They should be okay," Carmilla said coldly. "Servants aren't easily beaten, and more importantly, you all have to reach this…quarantined area to ask around."
"Are you not coming with us?" Eric asked.
"I will not have these people cough on me or my dresses," Carmilla answered harshly.
Mata Hari glared at the white haired Assassin. "You are one cold hearted bitch.."
"Yes, and?" Carmilla asked playfully. "Oh do not furrow that brow like that, it will ruin your pretty face, Mata Hari."
"At least I'm working here." The maternal Assassin countered.
Carmilla raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Ah, so I seem to have misspoke. I was not implying that I would stay here and do nothing. I was suggesting that we split up and ask around the village to cover more ground."
"O-oh…that does make sense…." Mata Hari muttered. "Then I shall make the groups of who goes where."
"How about you and I work on that with Ritsuka," Carmilla said. "That way we have more opinions and play to one another's strengths."
"Sounds good to me," Ritsuka said. "You four wait right here and we'll discuss this outside."
As the three of them left to draw up their plans, the rest of the group decided to finish their meals and drinks, but all the while they struggled to find any real piece of conversation that they could agree on. Everything had been moving so fast that their minds were swirling with information, but most of all concern. They were more concerned about the fact that Liz and Kiyohime had not come to them. And with Fou still missing, Mashu felt even more frightful of the moments to come….
(OC sips his coffee and sighs in bliss)
OC: Ah, the new year. And new adventures to be had. Oh I should see what's happening around the world. Maybe things aren't so bad!
(OC looks at the news and sees everything he needs to know and throws away the newspaper with a blank smile)
OC: Okay so I guess 2025 is off to a bad start, go figure! Anyway, it's good to be back, everyone! I know it's been a while since we last spoke but rest assured, Yatsu and I are….kinda sorta back. Right, Yatsu?
(Cricket noises intensify as everyone looks at Yatsu's cardboard cutout)
OC: I couldn't agree more. In other news I have been enjoying listening to the Ithaca Saga of Epic! I cannot stop listening to it, and I am not ashamed of it.
Mini Nobu OC: Nobu Nobu!
OC: I wasn't crying, you and Mini Nobu Y were crying!
Mini Nobu Y: Nobu Nobu Nobu… (Special Translation: He's got us there…..)
OC: Ahem… In any event let's get to the breakdown. So we basically decided to make this chapter take the day after the last chapter, and with this, we have officially decided to head over to Castle Csejte. Thats right folks, we are officially nearing the end of this arc, and things will be coming to a head soon. Aside from that nothing really happened aside from Eric and Gunnhild had some alone time. I kind of found it odd that despite being a happily married couple, they didn't have much time to interact with each other except when the others were around, so it was nice to see them talk about the others.
Mini Nobu V: Nobu Nobu.
OC: Oh yeah there was that part about Philip the donkey, eh that's not essential now is it?
Mini Nobu OC: Nobu Nobu.
OC: Good to know we're on the same page. Now onto scene two, and yes, the Ravenous Dreadlord is back everyone, and yes, Vlad sent it somewhere after it attacked us in our studio, but he never knew where he sent it. Well I guess we know now.
Mini Nobu V: Nobu Nobu. (Special Translation: I swear if it somehow gets back here….)
OC: Don't tempt fate! Now onto Scene 3. We had Liz and Kiyohime separate from the rest of the group as a way to get them to bond a little more, and in the end, we show that Liz does care, albeit in her own strange way…And now they've been caught by strangers!
Mini Nobu Y: Nobu Nobu Nobu. (Special Translation: Stranger Danger! At least they didn't use candy to tempt them….)
OC: Let's…..not go there. Well at least they can take care of themselves, but still things will be more complicated with them out of the picture. And for the rest of the scene we had them meet, and attack a guy named Wulbren. For those of you who are confused as to why they'd attack Wulbren, then well…..If any of you played BG3, you know why. Fuck Wulbren!
Mini Nobu OC: NOBU NOBU NOBU! (Special Translation: May he burn in hell!)
OC: Now you're speaking my language! Well he did give them some info about possible leads regarding a weird cult so there is that. In any event, that is all we have for this week. Thank you all for stopping by for the first chapter of 2025! Please stay tuned for…hang on, do you guys feel that?
(All three Mini Nobus nod as the ground shakes beneath them. Soon the walls of the studio break apart and the Ravenous Dreadlord appears once more, scaring everyone present)
RD: SKREEEEOOOOOOOONNNNNKKKKKK!
OC: I told you not to tempt fate!
Mini Nobu V: Nobu Nobu Nobu! (Special Translation: Well excuse me!)
OC: Okay ummm, how did Vlad do it again? Oh right I remember!
(OC snaps his fingers and the Ravenous Dreadlord poofs out of the studio, with everyone breathing a sigh of relief).
OC: Okay…crisis averted. Man, if I had a nickel for everytime I had to deal with an evil pickle monster breaking my studio and trying to eat my audience, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot but it's weird how it happened twice, right?
Mini Nobu OC: Nobu Nobu! (Special Translation: And the same one to boot!)
Mini Nobu Y: Nobu Nobu?
OC: Where did I send it? Honestly, no clue. Eh, it'll be fine.
Mini Nobu V: Nobu No! (Special Translation: Now who's tempting fate?!)
OC: Oh hush now! Ahem, anyway, we hope to see you all guys next time. Owen Chaser and the Mini Nobus, signing off!
All three Mini Nobus: Nobu Nobu!