Chapter 8: Start of a Journey
Flowleaf trail, Kirby's point of view
After getting on the carriage and leaving Easton, Ace falls asleep on Ichi's lap. It must have been a long day for him. The collapse and the tests must have exhausted him. I don't feel any fever this time, so he should be okay. I look at a sign carved in a plank that says Flowleaf.
"Why does that sign say Flowleaf?" I asked.
"Kirby, the sign says it as we are on the Flowleaf Trail," said Ichi. "This trail directly connects Magic Village to Easton like a leaf flowing through a river. Legends say this is a shrine of a long-forgotten culture. Merlin's Tower is between the two villages."
With no electricity in this world, Ace and I have learned to adapt to it slowly. I wonder if Franny and Alice adapted to it too. They're usually the ones who rely more on electricity. As the sun sets over the horizon, I start to feel tired too.
"Are there faster methods of travel?"
"There is a faster way of traveling, but only the soldiers and the higher-ranking nobles can use it. They can use the power of flight with their magic to travel further distances in a short amount of time."
"When will we be back home?"
"It takes two days from here to Magic Village and a day and a half from here to Merlin's Tower."
"Where is Arle?"
"She's with her grandma. We're on our way there currently."
The carriage continues through the forest throughout the night with the calmest atmosphere I can hear. Soon, I fall asleep.
10.8, A.A.6
The next day, we arrived at the port village of Moonspirit. According to the locals, it's the furthest village in the Kingdom of Dirk. Further east is the Mushin Ocean. According to Miss Ichi, it's a risk to sail across due to the rough weather. We stop by a few food stands and purchase some bread and apples to feed ourselves. To avoid getting unwanted attention, getting new clothes here was best, especially if it means Franny and Alice get new clothes too. After getting some supplies, we head out once more to Merlin's Tower, and it's still a day away.
"It takes so long to go anywhere" I said. "Why is there a long path that takes days to go anywhere?"
"There's no convenient path that shortens the length between Easton and Magic Village due to the mountain range." Ichi said. "Those who can fly can travel longer distances in less time."
"The cost is too high for a path along the mountains" the coachman said. "The nobles don't care about our problems."
"Does that mean books are too expensive as well?"
"Yes. You'd have to pay with gold coins to obtain one."
Books would be great to learn new magic abilities, but the unfortunate truth is the cost is too high due to the use of parchment. Ace and I were the top of our classes, so we should have an idea for using an alternative source, trees. If both of us could use the wood from trees, we could make a plant-based alternative that would cost less. Before that could happen, we were ambushed.
"Gao! There is someone here!" the dragon woman said.
"Oh great! As if this couldn't be worse!"
"I am here to challenge the one who threw the wind at a tree."
"Sorry, you'll have to get through me first."
I jumped out of the carriage and prepared to challenge her to a Puyo Puyo match. I don't want her to find out about Ace.
"Brave fool, you dare challenge Draco Centaurus to a match!?"
"Kirby be careful." said Ichi.
"I've got this. Besides, I doubt the match is related to beauty in any way."
"You think you can stand up to my beauty. Unlike the previous fools, I play for keeps!"
"How about you stop talking and prepare to battle?"
"Young fool, do you realize who you are dealing with?"
Both of us prepare our boards and start the Puyo match. I send a 5-chain and within the first 20 seconds, the match is heating up. Hold on, she can't rotate. This won't end well for her. I prepared another 4-chain and sent it to her board after she sent multiple singles. The match is over in less than 40 seconds.
"Why me!?"
"Seriously, learn to rotate."
Draco flew away after her defeat. Seems she didn't want to admit defeat after all.
"I never thought there was someone who couldn't rotate." said Ichi.
"There are few that haven't learned" the coachman said. "Skeleton-T is one of the few that cannot rotate Puyos."
I get back on the carriage, and we continue heading towards Merlin's Tower. We'll be there next morning, and hopefully Ace can fight back against his frequent fevers. It would be devastating if he were to die before finding Franny and Alice, so I'll help him in any way possible. Don't worry Ace, as long as you have your closest friend here, you'll be safe from any danger that awaits.
Camelot Castle, Merlin's Point of View
Shang and I decided to visit the castle in Camelot to forward new information about the devouring to the king. This could help with further research for a potential candidate for the king as he lost his son long ago to the same condition.
"Merlin, what exactly would this kingdom benefit from new information about the devouring?" asked Shang.
"Research about how to use the magic in them for good my friend."
We arrived at the front of the castle gate, but as expected, the guards stopped us.
"Halt!" one of the guards exclaimed. "What business do you have here at Camelot Castle?"
Since King Arthur's rule, the defense at Camelot increased to protect the people from monster threats and the odd fey tree that grows fast. It's no surprise the guards stopped us both, but I know how to handle them with words.
"Shang and I are here to deliver valuable information on the devouring to the king. It would be best if he were to hear this."
"Sorry, but I can't do that. It is our duty to guard this-"
"Let them in!" the king exclaimed.
"Y-Yes your majesty."
The guards opened the gates, and we went in. When we arrived at the throne room, both of us could see the king himself, King Daphnes. He might look old, but he is one of the most powerful beings in this kingdom.
"Merlin, Shang, I welcome you to the castle." said King Daphnes.
"It is a pleasure your majesty."
"Shang and I have new information on the devouring."
"We had some help from Ecolo, but this is new information."
"Let's hear it then."
Both of us share the new symptoms and effects of the devouring and how it can harm everyone around if misused. I don't want this information to spread, so I cast a magic barrier around us. Soon, I explained in full detail about how someone with it won't be able to live to adulthood and there are quite a few effects that can happen. Shang discussed magic berserk that can cause magic choking, Ecolo's research, and how some spells can become unusually powerful. We also discussed minor things related to it.
"Interesting, so Ecolo helped the both of you find out about this disease."
"Without him, we wouldn't be able to further our research on it your majesty."
"I see. If there is anything else you would want to discuss, let me know."
"There is. Merlin is training two new children from Magic Village."
"I haven't heard about that before."
"It's more complicated with those two. Both have exceeded my expectations and have more talent than the average adult."
"Is that so?"
"Of course. Merlin's teachings are some of the greatest around. However, there is one major thing I would like to mention."
"And what would that be?"
"One of them may show signs of the devouring."
"The devouring!?"
"Not so loud. It hasn't been confirmed, but one of the children shows an abnormal amount of mana. His attacks are stronger than normal as well, but he recently had a bad fever."
"That's unfortunate, but it is best if you two can monitor them. Besides, I've got a floor to clean up."
"What happened?"
"Some girl fell out of the sky into the throne room. I've got her in one of the bedrooms currently."
"May we see her?"
"Of course."
I dispel the magic barrier before we all get up. The king shows us where she landed, and based on what he told us, she wasn't conscious. We go up the stairs behind the throne room to visit the bedrooms. There are seven doors in the first hallway. The one he goes in is the third one. Both of us follow, and what we see is a girl who seems to have a sense for green. Ace mentioned once that he was still searching for his two missing friends, one wearing green and one wearing orange. Orange isn't that common but isn't rare either.
"She's the one."
"How do you know Shang?"
"I can sense a connection between her and the two boys."
I noticed a small device next to her. None of us know what it is, but it may be important to her.
"Your majesty, would it be all right if we bring her back to my tower? I've got recovery potions and herbs."
"If it is what you feel best, then it is fine by me. I don't want anyone from the cathedral to know."
"We'll make sure she'll be safe. Merlin, let's go."
"Until next time your majesty."
"May the god of light shine down and bring good fortune to her."
I cast a spell to warp us out of here and back to the tower. If this girl is one of Ace's friends, he'll be happy to see her again.
Am I back in this place? If I am, that means I must have developed another fever. This was where I saw the shadowy figure last time. From what I heard; he was going to mention a forgotten hero. Shade appears once again as I expected.
"It is nice to see you again young lad," said Shade.
"Hello again."
"Seems you have developed another fever."
"I know that, but I wanted to ask something about the lost hero."
"Ah, long before your time, is it not?"
"Yes."
"The story of the ancient hero is a tale that time has forgotten. There was no other being that stood up against the Demon army as he did. He vanquished most of Hades' loyal generals without any risk with the sacred sword, Excalibur. His bravery was known across the world, and he became known as the vanquisher of demons. Unfortunately, an unknown fate lies with him, and no one knows what happened."
"I feel like he was a great and special man."
"Perhaps he could have been. He was able to sneak his way in the Underworld and find Hades for the final confrontation. It was thanks to him he was able to stop the long war. However, without knowing who he was, Hades may return again in the future."
"So, what can I do to prevent that from happening?"
"That is for you to find out."
"You told me I was going to forget the previous meeting, but I still remember it."
"You are partially correct. Your mind here won't forget, but your mortal being will."
"That could have been said earlier. What about the successor?"
"To find the successor, your task is to keep your health safe. Your mana capacity is significantly higher than the average child your age. Hopefully, you'll make a good recovery. One of your missing friends will be found soon."
"Really?"
"Of course. We'll also talk about your high mana capacity and how that isn't good to have."
"Oh. Well bye then!"
"See you soon."
As expected, the figure vanishes, and I return to my recovered mind again. Maybe I can ask him something he hasn't mentioned that I know.
Author's Note: College and covid got in the way for this chapter to be finished on time, so it was delayed almost two months. It doesn't help that I go back to previous chapters and add more context. As for what to expect next, I'll have some exploration of the towns, and hopefully Ace and Kirby will learn about the currency. Satan will still search for the Seraphim Orb pieces, and the tests at the clinic will reveal how much mana capacity Ace and Kirby have. I've added some context to the previous chapters and how this links up to what I will call money problems.