Sun gently rose, peeking through the morning mist. Black hellhound casually marched on forward on a road now paved in stone. Or at least one could tell it was stone in parts where it wasn't covered by grass. With each step the wolf took, the road became in better condition. Soon it looked like any other road.
- I think you should hide- Samukai said as he noticed a few buildings coming closer. He then casted art of shadow theater even before Phantom had a chance to say something.
Now the lonesome warrior continued his journey towards the village. On his way he noticed a small farm with some people working on it, full of life, harvesting crops. He was glad that they didn't see a big black wolf closing in. Yet something was off about them. When he managed to come closer, he understood why.
He was kinda in the wrong to call them full of life. Before him were eight undead workers in all their rotting glory. Even though they were rather sloppy and some of them missed an arm, they still tried their best on the farm. Maybe except for one that mistook hoe for a shovel. At least he's got the spirit.
- Oi!- someone called to him- Ain't you in the wrong land, eh? Unless ya looking for some beast to slay
Warrior turned around and saw two elderly men sitting on some kind of bench. Both of them looked like simple farmers.
- No, I'm just wandering around the world, trying to find anything exciting. By the way, what's the deal with dead guys over there- he pointed at the undead workers.
- To make it short- one of them started- We had a lot of dead men lying around. Let it be our own, from town or even vagabonds like ya. So our local necromancer decided to make good use of them. Then she made some of them work at the farm, some guard the village and things like that
- I see, but is that really safe? I don't believe that most villagers were fine with that?
- They didn't have much of a choice. Besides, for as long as they work, they have only eaten one person. And from what ya hear about other incidents, that's actually fine
- If you say so. One more question. Two actually. Or maybe even three
The one farmer that stayed silent for the entire conversation let out a sigh. But after a while he spoke.
- What d'ya want to know?
- What kingdom would be the closest one from here?
- Probably Cracow if ya go south. Either that or Erasm if ya travel to the east
- Thank you- samurai came a little closer to the farmers- Say, haven't you heard about some demons roaming around?
- Demons? From what I know, the last time some fiend walked on this land was a long, long time ago. Probably a century if not more. Don't say that ya came to slay demons? If so why don't go to the Vatican
- As I said, I'm not a slayer of any kind. Once again thank you- Samukai then started to walk forward to the village. On his way, he passed a few more zombies. Truly peculiar how docile they could be. Soon he was in the village. It looked similar to Baszta. Maybe it was a bit bigger. But it definitely had more damaged houses than the previous one. Thanks to the morning hours, there were barely any people walking around. Which samurai guessed to be good.
While he walked around the village, trying to find merchants of any kind, he felt something tugging his ankle. He turned around and saw a purple hand grabbing his foot. Warrior quickly kicked it off, praying that no one saw it and made his way into one of many damaged buildings. While its walls were mostly intact with occasional holes here and there, the roof was in much worse condition.
- The hell are you thinking?- he whispered at the shadows on the ground. Demon emerged from them and sat beside the warrior.
- Getting kinda bored. But you heard about that necromancer, right?
- Yes, so?- Samukai then guessed what Phantom had in mind- No, no no, no. We are not going to fight her
- And why not? Seems like a good training for you
- For me? What do you mean?
- Don't you think that I didn't notice that you don't seem too keen on killing people. Now I only need to know why
- Maybe I don't. And how exactly killing a probably innocent woman is going to change that?
- Listen, I know it sounds bad, but if you don't start to enjoy killing, sooner or later it will end bad for you. Believe me, I've seen it happen a lot of times
- I appreciate your concern, but I think I'll manage without killing innocent people
- Then what about those bastards from the south?
- First of all, they weren't innocent, second of all- samurai lowered his helmet- I still don't know what to do
- I've found my reason to be a better leader, so now you must decide if you want to kill them or leave them be- demon said, full of authority. But before Samukai answered, he felt something akin to scratching at the back of his head. Or rather minds.
Oh, it's adorable. You try to act like a leader
What's your problem?
None, I just thought that it is perfect time to teach you about Chaos
You mean now? Right here?
Don't tell me it bothers such a big demon like you, hmm?
No, it's just. Well...I Phantom was unsure how to answer that. He couldn't find any reason to not agree with Pharaoh. Maybe except for one. Even though the day was still young, sooner or later there will be more people walking around the village. And that would mean bigger chances of being detected. Which wouldn't be a problem for him, but who knows if they won't call another angel to fight him. He could stay in this building, but depending on what that training will be, it may not be enough
- You fine there?- warrior asked with concern.
- Yes, why?
- You kinda zoned out for a while. Beside you should return to shadows
- I think I'm good as I am
- 'Scuse you?
- I promise to not bring any trouble. I'll just sit there and rest. I'm still kinda stiff from that encounter with Alcadeias
Noktum then emerged from the shadows and stood between two of them.
- I'll make that master won't be a nuisance
- I still don't know
- Come on, won't you trust a demon- Phantom thought that it might convinced samurai, but seeing as warrior only became more suspicious he then added- Right, maybe you shouldn't
Samukai walked in a circle for a good while, until he came to a conclusion. Granted it had slim chances of working considering the character of Phantom, but it was better than nothing.
- Alright, but only for a few minutes. I'll check what this village has to offer and then I will return. If you won't burn, destroy or break anything while I'm gone, I'm going to teach you a few of my arts and martial arts. How does that sound?
- Good to me
- Great- Samukai said as he exited from the building- Noktum, I'm counting on you
Warrior barely left the building when demon said:
- Don't you worry, I have my stuff to do
While Phantom was busy getting ready for the upcoming training, Samukai was looking for merchants or shops of any kind. Granted that morning hours probably weren't the best time for that, but there wasn't any other option. Wind gently howled as he passed more and more buildings. Finally he found something that resembled a market. Various stands run by the people wearing togas, mostly white or brown. When he arrived, their glances focused on him. He couldn't really blame them since probably, it wasn't common for them to see a samurai. Yet he acted like any other villager, casually walking from stand to stand, looking for anything interesting.
Nothing really caught his eye, mostly vegetables or some handicrafts were on sale. Taking some more time at the market he finally saw a single merchant selling some scrolls and books. Warrior came closer to him and looked at his goodies. Books were pretty much consisting of low tier defensive martial arts. Now scrolls on the other hand were much more interesting. Blessings, curses and aspects. All of them seemed useful for the future. Especially that one aspect called Aspect of a dragon: Impenetrable scales.
- Something caught your eye?- came a raspy voice belonging to the merchant.
- You could say so- warrior pointed at the scrolls- How much for each?
- Seven golden coins- merchant gave a sly smirk.
Samurai was dumbfounded to say the least. Even if he only wanted to buy the most interesting and probably most handy ones, it would still cost thirty five golden coins. He could tell that it wasn't a genuine price for them, but there wasn't much he could do.
- Can't you bring down the price a little?
- You either buy them as they are or go somewhere else
- Dammit- Samukai then proceeded to reach for the purse. And that was when he noticed that it was nowhere to be found. To be sure, he quickly checked again and again. Yet it was nowhere to be found. He guessed that Noktum probably had it. Either that or he lost it somewhere.
- If you don't have money, then you can pay with those swords of yours. Especially that one- merchant then pointed at Izanagi, which rested on the warrior's hip.
- It ain't for sale- warrior said as rushed off. He needed to be quick if he wanted to get those scrolls. There was no telling if someone else isn't going to buy them. Even despite the price. As he made his way to the building, he bumped into something. Or rather someone. Both he and the figure dressed in black robes fell to the ground.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
- Hey!- a feminine voice came from the hooded person- Watch where you going
- Sorry- Samukai replied, getting up. Warrior then continued his run to the building. But something was bugging him. Why did he smell death from that woman? Or rather felt? Then it came to him. He could only hope that this necromancer didn't hold grudges.
Woman dressed in black stood there for a while, being sure that she felt a smell of sulfur coming from that warrior. But how could that be?
While the samurai made his way back, demon was pretty much ready for the training. All three crystals lying next to him, spinning around. Phantom tried to focus. Noktum was sitting right next to him, focusing on various spellbooks, not really paying attention to what the demon was doing. Phantom tried to pass it as a simple meditation that would help him to relax. He kinda doubted that shadow would fall for that, but he seemed to somewhat believe him. Now he only needed to wait for crystals to react. Soon after he saw that aura coming from the crystals. It was similar to that from that sphere back in the undergrounds, just a tad smaller. It started to envelop him and right after that, he was once again on that desert full of steel and glass towers. At least this time there was no weird being flying around. Now he only needed to wait for the Pharaoh.
It didn't take him long. Black figure was standing right next to the spellcaster.
- I did what you said. Now what?
- Before we start, can you feel it?
- Feel what?
- The crystals. How they seep to this world- demon was little shocked at the mention of the word world, but he indeed felt something. He focused once again and saw great pillars of Chaos rising up from the place where crystals once were.
- Now then, let's start with something simple. Cast Flame- Pharaoh ordered. Phantom casted the spell and now a tiny flame danced around his hand.
- I did, what's next?
- Focus energy from the pillars into the flame
Demon was kinda lost, but did as Pharaoh said. Or rather tried to do so. From what he saw, pillars didn't budge even an inch. And when he managed to move the energy a little, the flame vanished.
- You know- Phantom started- Maybe show me what I am supposed to do. I guess this is your "overloading" that you have mentioned, but how can I know that I did it right? What am I even trying to achieve, huh?
Pharaoh stretched out his arm to the demon, hand curled up in fist. He gently opened the palm and from it shot out a flame. But not a normal one. It was all crimson and the size of a man. It startled the demon as he backed off from the fire.
- This is your goal. You wanted power, right? So there it is. Now continue
Phantom simply nodded, but he still couldn't get chaos to merge with the flame. He could swear that he casted it over a hundred times and there still was no change. Pharaoh simply glared at him, making it hard to guess what he was thinking at the moment. Another good while passed and there still was no progress.
- Oh my! I wouldn't have guessed that this task might be too hard for someone of your caliber- Pharaoh said with a grin that showed his sharp teeth. Demon could tell that he was mocking him, but he didn't quite understood what a caliber was- Maybe they were right about you
Phantom tried one last time. That was it. Flame finally turned crimson and lunged at Pharaoh, who simply stepped to the right, dodging it.
- Finally you were able to overload spell of the first tier- Spellcaster wasn't sure if he was supposed to take this as a compliment or not- Now take a look at your hand, why don't you?
Demon's eyes then shifted from the Pharaoh to his hand. To his surprise it was slightly burned. No, it seemed to be melting, albeit slowly.
- Huh?- was all he could mutter, not really understanding what caused it.
- Magic overloaded with Chaos is really dangerous and easily damages your body- Pharaoh once again casted flame- Is there anything else you find off about it?
Phantom focused his glaze at the crimson fire, seeing as it was draining chaos from all over the place. At first he didn't notice what exactly was wrong, but seeing the amount of energy that the spell generated, he understood. It was taking much, much more Chaos than it returned.
- That is another danger that comes with playing with chaos. You must have great amount of it, otherwise pray for the spell to not backfire in your face
- I get it, but- demon paused to think his words through- Why are you teaching me about such power? Aren't you worried that I could potentially turn against you. And if you are, then how can I be sure that magic that you'll teach is truly powerful and not some low tier trash?
Pharaoh only chuckled to himself
- What's so damn funny?
- Nothing, it's just that you think you can be threat to me. It's adorable- Pharaoh's head tilted a little and his voice became more distorted- Say, do you feel something burning?
At first the spellcaster didn't feel anything. No heat, no smell of smoke, or burning wood. Only when his surroundings started to change from the desert to the abandoned building, he saw flame rising in front of him. Noktum was casting spells of water and ice attributes, trying to put it off. On his left he noticed Samukai stomping on another, yet smaller flame. His helmet then turned and faced the demon.
- I can't leave you alone for a few minutes?! Does setting things on fire get you off or something?- warrior finally managed to put off his flame and went to help Noktum with his- What are you waiting for? Help!
Before Phantom was able to anyhow help them, shadow stopped the fire from spreading, by using the trap of the desert tomb.
- So, what happened?- Phantom asked, tilting his head in confusion.
- I would like to ask you the same- samurai replied.
- I just did as the Pharaoh- demon instantly covered his mouth
- What Pharaoh? What are you talking about?
- Nothing- Phantom's eyes shifted from the warrior to the nearby wall- It was just a dream
- Great- Samukai took a deep breath- Now you are sleep casting- he then noticed that a crowd started to gather around the building.
- Just go back to the shadows- Samukai once again casted arts of the shadow theater. Warrior stepped outside the building and saw that the crowd wasn't as big as he expected. Few villagers and three undead pointing their pitchforks at the doorway. His attention was caught by that woman in black.
- What's going on here?- one of the villagers asked.
- Did he set that on fire?- another voice came up.
Few more questions like that came up, and the samurai needed to somehow calm them down.
- It was just a simple demon- this seemed to get their attention- But worry not, I have killed it. There's no more danger here. So you all can go back- most of the crowd seemed to believe him and scattered in a matter of a while, but one person stayed.
A figure in black came closer to him.
- Say- she started- If you killed that fiend, then why there isn't blood on your weapons or armor. Speaking of which there isn't a single scratch on it- she was weirdly suspicious and Samukai wasn't really sure if that could go down without unneeded bloodshed.
- That's just how we umbramancers do- warrior hoped that this will be enough to convince her. It seemed to work to some degree. Granted she had her arms crossed and still kept an eye on him, but there was progress, probably- Beside it was just a simple imp. Even the rotting ones here could kill it- he pointed at one of the few undead which now lowered their guard. Warrior was also sure that he felt demon's anger growing at calling him a simple imp.
- If you say so- necromancer let out a sight- I hope you understand why I'm suspicious
- I guess samurais aren't too liked in Otto
- Yeah, say, since you kinda saved this village, why don't you go drink with us?
- Us?
- Me and my friend
- I'm not really sure
- Oh come on, one drink hasn't harmed anyone. Beside it's not everyday that you can talk with fellow mancer
- Well- while Samukai himself wasn't against getting a little break, he doubted that Phantom would be fine with that. Noktum probably won't mind. He guessed that demon too might enjoy getting a while to breathe. Or until he decides to burn this village too- Fine by me. I'm not really in any big hurry, so I can stay for a while
- Great to hear that. Say have you killed many demons?
- Not really, why?
- 'Cause you smell like a sulfur
- I do? Can't really tell
- Never mind. Let's get going- she took off her hood, revealing her gray hairs and sickly pale skin- The name's Eveline- necromancer walked ahead of the samurai, making a gesture for him to follow her.
- And I'm Tatsuya- Samukai replied as he made his way after her.
- Good to know. By the way, you could've helped me get up after after bumping into me
- I was kinda in hurry to save the village
- From imp?- Eveline smirked.
- From imp- Samukai replied, trying to sound like killing an imp was some sort of a great deed- Is that tavern here or in the town?
- Do you have the money to go to the town's tavern?- samurai replied with a silence- Thought so- was the answer of Eveline.
- It might be a small one, but I can easily say that it has better wine than the one you would find in Vendetta
The name of what Samukai guessed was the town next to them, was a rather interesting one. He couldn't help but wonder why it was given such a name. After a short while, both mancers stood before a typical village tavern. Simple wooden building that didn't stand out.
Inside the tavern sat one tall man. He was a blonde wearing simple chain mail. Mace was resting right next to him.
- Took you long enough Eve- man said- And who is that?- he pointed at samurai.
- A umbramancer that saved our village from an imp
- Ah, a slayer
- Not really- Samukai said- I just happened to pass by. Beside imps aren't all that though
- Yea, I can agree with that. Now then, I should present myself. I am Robert, cleric of this village
- Tatsuya, a vagabond samurai
- Vagabond, huh? Say, what brought you to these sides of the world
- Pure coincidence, if I'm being honest
While two of them were chatting, Eve went deeper into the tavern. Soon she came back with three mugs filled with alcohol.
- Have you heard what happened to Baszta?- Samukai only tilted his head in confusion- People say that it was wiped off the earth by a demon
- And you believe them?- Eveline asked, sitting right next to Robert.
- If it wasn't, then they wouldn't be calling champions to go all the way to the Fehu- that was bad news, really bad news. Samukai knew that destroying villages would have consequences, but he didn't expect them to be so bad. That complicated everything by a lot.
- And probably there was some samurai that summoned this fiend to our lands- bad news seemed to appear one after another. At least as long as he wasn't suspected there could still be a chance to not cross paths with any of the champions. But knowing Phantom, he probably is going to challenge them sooner or later. It only could get worse if they figured it out that he wasn't human. Then the warrior decided to bite his non existing tongue, due to knowing what luck he had in this team.
- You're fine there?- Eveline asked.
- Yes, why?
- You haven't touched your wine. And my dad makes the best one
- Sorry, I just don't like drinking all that much. Especially when in unknown towns or villages
- Worry not, no one is going to steal anything from you. Especially if you have three swords on yourself- Robert tried to assure the warrior.
- Yea, maybe you are right- The key to not getting caught was to act normally. Which was easier said than done. The biggest threat right now probably was Eveline. Samukai wasn't sure if she could ever tell that he was undead or not. But he didn't like the risk. Maybe, just maybe Phantom was right about killing her. Samurai then mentally slapped himself. No, killing innocent people is never right. He wasn't like that demon. So why did that thought cross his mind?
He was lost in thoughts for a good while, until he noticed that one big shadow made his way away from him, shortly after being followed by a smaller one. Just great, as there weren't enough problems already.
It was needless to say that he was sitting on edge, constantly wondering when there would be quake, smoke, sounds of thunder or reddish beam. As for now it was weirdly calm. Maybe demon went to the outskirts of this village, either that or town. While Phantom did promise to not burn this village, it wasn't guaranteed that he would keep his word. As much as he would like to stay and talk, the village this time was in real danger that he could stop.
- I forgot that I had something important to do!- Samukai shouted as he stormed off the tavern.
- What's gotten into him?- Eveline wondered.
- I don't know, but he is a weird fellow for sure- Robert said.
The biggest problem warrior now had was not knowing where they could've gone. Searching all around probably wasn't the best solution and with his luck, he would probably find them after this village will be in ashes.
- Why can't he sit on his ass for five minutes- warrior muttered storming through the village.
Unknown to the warrior both spellcaster and magician were at the outskirts, messing around with few undead. That is of course after checking nearby market and "borrowing" all of the interesting spell scrolls and books for an unspecified amount of time, probably eternity.
- So, master, should we wait for Samukai here or maybe go to the town?- Noktum asked, sitting on a rock and swinging his legs.
- Nah, we can stay here. It's not like any of those will tell anyone anyway. Am I right?- the only response the demon got was a slightly confused groan from the zombie next to him- See?
Soon the demon felt an aura of samurai's Izanagi. After that he saw his silhouette coming into the view. He wasn't sure, but felt that the samurai might have been a tad bit angry.
- Huh, maybe I should've taught you telepathy. Just in case something like that would've happened- Phantom was already coming up with a plan for upcoming training. Or rather one of the few things he should teach his team. But that's for later, now he should deal with Samukai that was a few meters away from him. Phantom could feel that it will be short, but not so pleasant talk. Oh well, he has survived worse.