Veronica glanced at the fountain, quickly dismissing it as it wasn't worth her interest. She'd passed it once before on her way out - nothing worth gawking at then, and certainly not now. Right now, her mind was fixed on two things: finding her sister, and getting her magic back. As Erik and Raeyla admired the architecture, Halden wandered over to join them, but Veronica focused elsewhere. She scanned the room, searching for the familiar door that led them to where she had been taken.
That's when she saw her.
Serena lay motionless on the ground, her long blonde hair splayed out beneath her. Veronica's heart lurched.
"Serena!" her voice broke with panic as she darted over, dropping to her knees and shaking her shoulders. "Wake up! It's me! Veronica!"
Nothing. Serena didn't stir. Her stillness fed Veronica's rising fear, even though she knew that her sister was still breathing and therefore alive. She checked for injuries and found none, but that didn't rule out the possibility of a spell hitting her. Worse, the monster that kidnapped her could have taken Serena's magic and left her there. Healing had always been Serena's specialty, not Veronica's, and so she knew that she couldn't help in this situation. Panic continued to rise in her, and then she heard footsteps nearing.
Erik's voice broke through. "That's your sister?"
Veronica clenched her teeth. What kind of stupid question was that? Hadn't she told them her sister's name was Serena? Who else would she be sitting here, shaking and shouting her name over? She resisted the urge to snap back and instead continued to shake the girl in green. "Serena!" she urged again.
At last, Serena stirred. The girl in green let out a soft yawn, her body stretching gently as she slowly pushed herself up to sit. Eyes still closed, she raised a hand to rub the sleep from her face.
"Oh, I'm ever so sorry. It's just. I was so awfully tired after all that searching…" she began in her usual soft tone.
"So you pick the middle of a dungeon floor?" Raeyla muttered under her breath from behind. Veronica found herself agreeing with the brunette.
"You do realize you're laying on the floor of a monster infested dungeon right?" Veronica chided her sister, trying to pretend that she wasn't worried for her. It was then that finally, Serena opened her eyes and blinked up at Veronica.
"V-Veronica! Is that really you? What in the world has happened to you?" Serena stammered, now fully alert and wide-eyed as she took in Veronica's childlike form.
"How did you know it was me?" Veronica's heart warmed at Serena's recognition, but she couldn't quite understand how her sister had known who she was. She had expected to have to prove herself.
"We've been sisters a long time, you know." Serena replied with a gentle laugh. "It would take a lot more than a new look to fool me."
Veronica smiled at her sister, appreciating Serena's words. But then Erik's voice cut in again, breaking the moment.
"Sorry to interrupt the reunion, but didn't you tell us Serena was your kid sister?" Erik asked, eyeing the two of them with disbelief. Looking at the other two behind him, it was clear they expected more of an explanation.
Veronica sighed. It was time to set things straight. She stood up and faced the group of newcomers.
"Technically, we're twins," she began. "But we don't look the same age any more, because...well, it's complicated. I told you I was taken by monsters, didn't I? They've been kidnapping people to drain their magic. Well, I wasn't about to let them have mine without a fight. But the more I resisted, the younger I got." She crossed her arms, exasperated by the memory. "I don't quite understand it. But what I do know is I'm not a child! So STOP TREATING ME LIKE ONE!"
Halden held up his hands, trying to calm her down. "We get it," he said softly, his voice filled with awkward politeness. "You're not a kid."
Erik chimed in. "Yeah, but you still look like one. Don't you want to do something about it?"
"Obviously!" Veronica snapped at him, but there was a hint of gratitude in her voice. "Why do you think I brought you here? We're going to clobber those monsters and fix this mess!"
As Veronica glared at Erik, Serena stood and turned to the group with a hopeful expression. "You will help us, won't you? I promise to do my bit as well. I have some really rather wonderful healing spells, you know!" She spoke eagerly, her soft voice filled with sincerity, as if hoping to win them over with kindness.
Halden smiled timidly at her. "Of course, the more the merrier," he said, nodding. Veronica made a note that he needed to get used to speaking up.
Serena's eyes lit up, and she beamed at them all. "Oh wonderful! Veronica, you've found such a lovely group. I'm sure she's already told you, but I'm Serena."
Halden introduced himself first, giving her a small, shy smile. "I'm Halden."
"Erik, nice to meet ya," Erik said, offering a quick nod, his tone casual but friendly.
Raeyla approached Serena next, her eyes warm. "I'm Raeyla," she said, lifting a hand in greeting. "You said you're a healer?"
"Yes!" Serena replied, her tone sweet and a little excited. "I've always been drawn to helping people, so healing magic just came naturally to me."
Raeyla smiled, a stark contrast to how she reacted when she first met Veronica. "Glad to have you, Serena."
"I'd be happy to help heal that cut, Raeyla. It does look awfully painful." Serena offered, her voice filled with concern as she glanced at the brunette's forehead.
"A cut? Was it from when you fell? Are you ok?" Halden quickly asked, his words spilling out in rapid succession. Raeyla waved him off, trying to calm his nerves before accepting Serena's help.
Veronica had seen the cut, but chose not to mention it. Raeyla had appeared to already tend to it, and it clearly hadn't hindered her in combat, so the blonde deemed it unimportant.
Once Serena healed the cut, she and Raeyla chatted quietly about healing magic as they left the fountain room and moved further into the dungeon. Not long after, they came upon a short hallway that led them to a slightly ajar door, where the sound of cackling could already be heard from the other side.
The group exchanged looks, silently agreeing to approach the door with caution. Raeyla and Erik took position on the left side, Raeyla kneeling while Erik stood over her. Veronica and Halden mirrored them on the right, with Serena standing just behind her sister.
Peering into the room, Veronica's eyes narrowed as she spotted two shadowy monsters standing behind a large, portly humanoid lizard with blue skin and a brand on his stomach. In his hands was a large pot that was glowing faintly - Veronica recognised it instantly. It was the pot her magic had been drawn into. The octagonal stone room and raised platforms were all too familiar. She was certain that beyond this room lay another filled with cells, and that's where Connie's dad would be.
Veronica's thoughts were interrupted by a deep, guttural voice, "Are you potty? You come here and tell Jarvis that you let that lovely, juicy specimen escape, and you think an apology's gonna cut it? Ooh, this jars! D'you crackpots think sorcerers like Veronica come along often? D'you have any idea what we'll have to do to nab a specimen like that again?" The lizard monster's words were harsh, clearly frustrated that Veronica had escaped.
"You knew I wanted to drain all her magic so I could urn the Lord of Shadows' respect when he came back! All my plans, shattered!" He continued ranting, his mention of the mysterious lord catching the group's attention.
"The Lord of Shadows?" Erik whispered over to Veronica, his tone curious.
"I'm not sure, but that's them! They're the ones who jumped me in the bathhouse and brought me here." She peeked back into the room, pointing discreetly at the jar the large lizard held. "See that jar by the big fat one? That's what he was sucking all my magic powers into."
Halden leaned in, his gaze fixating on the jar. "Then I guess we better figure out how to get it back…" he muttered, determination taking over his seemingly standard gentle tone.
As Veronica focused on the jar, planning to smash it into a million pieces, she heard Serena's voice, sounding fearful about something. "V-Veronica…" The urgent tone in Serena's voice drew Veronica's attention immediately. She turned to find herself face to face with a ghost-like monster that had managed to sneak up on them. The sight startled her more than she'd care to admit, and before she could stop herself, she let out a piercing scream.
The scream jolted the rest of the group into action. Halden and Erik quickly pushed open the door to the octagonal room, giving them more space to maneuver and prepare for the inevitable fight now that they know they'd been discovered.
Veronica noticed Halden looking to Erik for guidance, but Erik's focus was split between the monsters, assessing the situation at hand. He moved to position himself between the larger monster and Raeyla, his mind racing at the possibilities for a strategy.
"Ohh, smashing! I do love guests! Especially when they bring me presents! And if it isn't the one that got away!" The large lizard's voice oozed with glee as he spotted Veronica, the sinister laugh sending a chill down her spine. "Talk about hitting the jackpot. Just sit tight while we suck every ounce of magic out of you." He turned to his ghostly companions, "boys - this lot've urned the VIP treatment! Get cracking!"
The monsters inched forward in a pincer-like formation, forcing the group into a tight circle. Realizing they were surrounded, Erik spoke up, "Looks like we'll be fighting our way out of this one whether we like it or not. Halden, switch with me." Halden heard Erik and quickly maneuvered around to face the larger lizard, understanding the plan.
"Right, Serena, you should stay with Veronica and Raeyla." Halden suggested, his tone gentle but firm. Serena nodded, her anxiety evident, but she stood her ground next to her sister.
Raeyla quickly drew her bow and notched an arrow, her eyes darting between the four monsters surrounding them. Veronica mirrored her actions, gripping her staff tightly, ready to strike anything that dared to get too close.
Erik moved first, targeting the ghost that hovered behind them, hoping to eliminate the pincer attack, but the ghost slipped to the side, evading his attacks easily. Veronica noticed the movement, and moved to assist, but found that when she tried to step away, the other ghosts tried to advance toward Serena.
Raeyla managed to fire a few arrows at the ghost to their back, wounding it enough for Erik to deliver a finishing blow. But in the chaos, another monster slipped past Veronica's defenses and scratched Raeyla, leaving a shallow cut on her arm.
Without her magic, Veronica struggled to keep up with the tempo of the fight and felt a bit useless as she watched everything unfold. Raeyla was injured, Serena was vulnerable, and Erik was trying to handle two of the ghosts on his own as Halden became injured. He had been locked in combat with the lizard leader since the start, and had managed to successfully dodge attacks up until one of the ghosts managed to swoop in and lodge its claws into his side.
Erik, the only uninjured fighter, took command, cutting through the monsters to stand protectively in front of Halden and Raeyla. As Serena moved closer to Halden, ready to heal him, Erik spoke to Raeyla without taking his eyes off the enemies.
"Can you still shoot?" he asked, his tone serious and focused.
Raeyla drew her bow, aimed at a ghost, and released an arrow that delivered a fatal blow. "Yes."
With only the lizard and one ghost left, Veronica looked at her comrades. Serena was almost done healing Halden, and Veronica knew she had to act. She took a few steps forward, placing herself between the ghosts and the rest of the group, allowing Erik to face the lizard.
Erik noticed Veronica's move and seized the opportunity. He lunged at the lizard, catching it off guard and knocking it onto its back. Without missing a beat, he turned to Raeyla. "Then let's get you out of here."
He knelt down, planting one knee on the ground and interlocking his fingers. Raeyla understood immediately. She sprinted toward him, placing her foot in his hands, and with a powerful lift, Erik launched her into the air.
Raeyla soared over the lizard, firing an arrow mid-flight that the creature barely managed to avoid. She landed on the other side and quickly moved to the raised platforms along the room's edge, creating distance between herself and the large monster.
Veronica saw the plan unfold and was impressed. Raeyla and Erik had turned what could have been a disastrous ambush into a tactical advantage. Their seamless teamwork was proof of their years of fighting side by side, something Veronica was forced to respect, despite her usual friction with them.
Halden, fully healed, rejoined the fray without hesitation, taking position to Erik's right. Serena stepped back, and Veronica instinctively moved closer to protect her sister again.
"Good?" Erik asked Halden, glancing at him with a smirk.
"Good," Halden replied, returning the grin.
"Let's get 'em then." Erik charged at the last ghost, cutting it down as it turned to go after Raeyla.
Raeyla, focused on the lizard, aimed her arrows at the pot in its hands. When one arrow struck the pot, she realized it was too tough to break with her weapon, and so she redirected her shots to the lizard's body instead. Veronica, seeing the opportunity, devised a plan.
Erik made quick work of the ghost and the lizard quickly realized he was the only one left standing. It fought back viciously, forcing Erik and Halden to dodge its powerful attacks carefully. Veronica waited for her moment, and a gap opened between Erik and Halden, she darted in.
The lizard, wounded by one of Raeyla's arrows, tried to turn to face her, but Halden's well-timed strike to its legs forced it to stumble closer to Veronica. She swung her staff as hard as she could, shattering the pot in its hands. Purple mist spilled out of the broken urn and began to swirl around Veronica.
"No!" The monster shouted out in despair as the mist surrounded Veronica, who felt her magic returning in a surge of warmth and power.
For a moment, she saw nothing but the swirling purple mist. Then, as it cleared, she found herself face to face with the lizard, who was looking on in horror, realizing its defeat.
"Payback time!" She declared with a mischievous smirk, her confidence returning with her magic. She channeled fire into her fingertips, the familiar heat coursing through her veins.
" Sizz!" she shouted, unleashing a blast of fire that barrelled toward the lizard. The creature panicked as the flames latched onto its skin. Within moments, the lizard fell to the ground, unable to move anymore.
"I'll never be the Lord of Shadows' right-hand man if I can't even beat the likes of, you lot, all my dreams…shattered." The lizard named 'Jarvis' lamented from his place on the ground, his voice laced with bitterness as he cursed them.
Erik sheathed his daggers and tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "Who is this Lord of Shadows you keep mentioning anyway?"
The lizard laughed weakly, "Heh! You'll find out, soon enough. When everything finally goes to pot." He gasped out the words before his body went limp, finally becoming lifeless.
"'We'll find out soon enough'? That's ominous." Raeyla muttered as she rejoined the group, wincing slightly as she clutched her injured shoulder. She began methodically searching the ground, retrieving any arrows that were still intact when Erik moved to approach her about the shoulder.
Veronica, meanwhile, was too focused on the thrill of her restored magic. She flexed her fingers, a satisfied smirk spreading across her face, looking at her sister Serena.
"I don't understand, why do you still look like a little girl? Is it because you broke the pot?" Serena asked, her concern evident in the furrow of her brow as she studied her sister's child-like form.
Veronica paused, finally glancing down at her body, twisting and turning to inspect herself. "I'm not really sure. I suppose whatever made me younger can't be fixed just by getting my powers back. It could be worse I suppose, at least I got my magic back. Plus, you know what they say - 'You're only young, twice!'" She forced a laugh, trying to lighten the mood and ease her sister's worry. Inside though, a seed of frustration and anxiety took over. Could she really be stuck looking like a child?
Serena fell for her brave face and laughed down at her sister. "Trust you to see the funny side! Well, I suppose I'd better get used to having a twin sister half my size." She said in a cheery tone before whispering to Veronica. "By the way, you have noticed who we're traveling with, haven't you?"
The prodigal mage gave her twin a look, "Of course I have! And so have you, it seems. Shall we?" she asked Serena, who nodded in return and began walking toward Halden.
Serena sat down on the ground next to Veronica and lifted her right hand to sit against her heart, with her left outstretched toward Veronica, said girl mimicking her movements to sit her hand against her sister's. Once ready, they recited the pledge they had been taught since they were actually children.
"Bold Luminary,
Yggdrasil's chosen,
Long have we waited to greet you.
We of Arboria,
Swear to protect you,
While we live, none shall defeat you."
The room fell into silence. Halden looked the most shocked of all, his mouth slightly agape as he stared at the twins. Erik was the first to recover, glancing between the twins and Raeyla. When Raeyla finally snapped out of her own surprise, she leaned in to whisper something to Erik. The young Luminary, however, remained speechless, his mind clearly racing.
Serena, sensing his turmoil, spoke in a soft and comforting voice. "There are those who would accuse you of bringing disaster on our world. Please, you must rest assured that they are wrong. You are a hero. The light in your eyes… the light told of in legends of Arboria.. It proves that beyond a doubt."
Veronica, on the other hand, took a more direct approach, her grin returning. "I knew it was you the moment I saw you."
Halden finally found his voice, though it was full of confusion and doubt. "I've… Why are you doing this? You don't even know who I am. Why would you swear to protect me?"
"Why? Because you're the Luminary, that's why!" Veronica shot back, her tone matter-of-fact, though it did little to ease his concerns.
Erik, unable to resist a bit of teasing, chimed in with a smirk. "So now you have magical twins swearing to serve and protect you? You're the real deal huh?" His tone was light, but his eyes held a glimmer of curiosity as he observed Halden. Veronica noticed that Erik enjoyed looking for opportunities to tease people, something she'd have to keep in mind if he was going to be sticking around Halden.
"There's plenty more we need to talk about, but we have to take care of something first." Veronica said, trying to refocus. "I wasn't the only one they were keeping prisoner. Now, if I remember correctly, there should be a door around here somewhere."
They walked into the back of the room and found themselves in another octagonal chamber, smaller this time, with metal-barred cells lining the walls.
"Gosh. Look at all these cells. What a horrid place." Serena whispered, her voice tinged with sadness as she surveyed the dark, depressing room.
A grunting noise suddenly echoed from the back of the room, making Veronica tense up. She nearly screamed, but Erik, seemingly always alert, called out toward the source of the sound. "Hey! Who's there?"
"O'er 'here!" the voice replied, rough and desperate. Halden was the first to notice, and she saw him move quickly toward a particular cell on the left side of the room. Veronica followed, and her face softened as she recognised the familiar figure inside - a man with short dark blue hair. It was Connie's father.
"Don't worry, you're safe now. We took care of that potty old fathead and his cronies!" Veronica said confidently as she approached the cell, her hands quickly moving to set the man free.
The moment the cell door swung open, a relieved smile spread across the man's face. Veronica took note of his worn grey tunic and green shirt, now slightly disheveled from his captivity. "F-Fanks! I owe you one! I was startin' to worry they were gonna get sick o' feedin' me an' decide to eat me instead!" he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
But Veronica's mood quickly soured. His first words of relief weren't about his daughter but about himself. How could he be so self-centered after everything? " You were starting to worry!? And what about your poor little daughter all on her own, hm? How do you think she's been feeling?" she snapped, her temper flaring.
The man flinched at her harsh tone, his expression one of guilt. "Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't finki-" he began, but then paused, the weight of her words hitting him. "Wait, you know Connie?" he asked, surprise evident in his eyes.
Before Veronica could lash out again, Raeyla intervened, her tone calm. "Ignore her. Connie found us in the bathhouse, looking for you. She was really worried, you know." Raeyla explained, casting a glance at Veronica to signal that it was enough. "We left her in the care of the bartender in town before setting out to find you."
The man turned his attention to Raeyla, visibly relieved to speak with someone less angry. "Listen, I appreciate yer 'elp, really I do. I'm Noah, by the way. If there's anyfing I can do to repay you, just say the word." He stepped out of the cell, rubbing his wrists with a small grin on his face.
At the mention of his name, Veronica noticed Raeyla and Erik exchange a glance. Erik's face had taken on a thoughtful look, as if trying to remember something. "Noah huh? Where have I heard that name before?"
That was when Noah's demeanor changed entirely. The once happy and grateful man was suddenly nervous and anxious. "L-Look, I've taken up enough of yer time. I should, er, get back an' see 'ow, er Connie's doin'. Fanks a million!" He blurted out, then turned and bolted from the room, leaving the group behind.
Veronica stared after him, baffled by his abrupt exit. Why would he just suddenly leave, into a dungeon he knew nothing about, especially when they could have escorted him back to safety? The mage looked at the pair who had scared him off. They'd caught on to that fact as well it seemed, and were looking after the man suspiciously.
"Well, he certainly left in rather a hurry." Serena said, her tone puzzled but lacking the suspicion the others felt. She looked to Halden, who, like her, seemed a bit oblivious to the situation.
"You can say that again. Very fishy," Veronica said out loud. Serena and Halden exchanged confused glances, but Raeyla and Erik nodded in agreement. "Well, never mind. We should head back too - we deserve a rest," She added, her voice returning to its usual assertive tone.
"But first, Raeyla, let me see your arm. I'll get you fixed up in no time!" Serena offered, stepping forward with a warm smile, her hands already glowing softly with healing magic.
"Thank you. Ah, there's actually two injuries if you don't mind healing that one too." She admitted sheepishly, holding out her arm.
"Of course I can! When did you get the second one if you don't mind my asking?" Serena's curiosity was genuine, her concern evident. Veronica, too, turned her attention to Raeyla, intrigued by the admission. She hadn't noticed a second injury in the chaos.
"It was from a few days ago, I've kept it clean, so I'm sure it'll be fine if you can't, but I just thought I'd ask." She explained her tone modest, though it sparked Veronica's curiosity about what the trio had faced before they met in Hotto. Serena happily healed the injury, Raeyla thanking the girl with a grateful tone.
The group made their way out of the dungeon with ease, the remaining monsters having fled after the lizardman's defeat. Veronica walked beside Serena on the journey back, striking up a conversation with her sister and Halden, eager to learn more about what happened before meeting up with her earlier today.
Veronica and Serena learned that day the trials Halden, Raeyla and Erik had to face in order to get there. How Halden was imprisoned by Heliodor's king, how Raeyla and Erik helped him escape only to find his hometown destroyed, and how they escaped Heliodor's soldiers to get to this region.
Veronica listened intently, impressed by Raeyla and Erik's courage and kindness. She and Serena had been raised with the knowledge that they were destined to protect the Luminary, trained and prepared for it even. But Raeyla and Erik had no such obligation; they chose to stand by Halden, forging a bond through shared experiences, even though it was brief.
Halden's shyness was apparent, but as he spoke of their journey, Veronica could see the bond he'd been creating with the two, the trust he had placed in them. She couldn't help but appreciate the dynamic.
By the time they returned to Hotto, the sun was group decided to head to the bathhouse together before retiring to the inn for the night, intending to discuss their next steps in the morning.
The bathhouse was much more enjoyable for Veronica this time, without the threat of danger hanging over her this time. She and Serena left the sauna early, leaving Raeyla to enjoy the quiet, a rare moment of peace after the day's events.
Exhausted, Veronica fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, a deep sense of satisfaction settling over her. She had found the Luminary. Now, it was time to get started.
~A/N~ oh, my, goodness. I am so sorry. I was planning to go on a road trip and had planned to get out two chapters before I left, but just about everything that could go wrong did. I'll spare the details. But I hope 4 chapters will make up for it T.T I'm very sorry. ~~