In an unexpected way, Theo had managed to locate Sola, one of the big characters, and the popular singer, dancer, and all around Cute Boy Idol. Sola Arcus, nine years old, was being chased by a group of burly thugs. Theo, due to his previous life's experiences, felt very uncertain around that group, and reflexively took a defensive stance as he drew his wand. A few of them saw this, and took out weapons themselves instinctively.
Theo immediately raised a star barrier, and then cast shooting stars at them. They tried to dodge, but the attacks curved to hit them. Still, a few managed to charge their way forward. Two men each grabbed a boy by the collar of their shirt, lifting them up and slamming them into a wall.
"Nice try, but you wont be getting away that easily!"
"Maybe we should mess thhat one up a bit first, get him nice and broken in, before we go to the dealer. He is just a bonus after all".
"Shut it, you know the mission".
They had some pretty terrifying intentions, but in that moment, the man ended up dropping them as his hands were removed from their arms. At the same time, a blanket fell over Theo and Sola. They got tangled up in it, as they heard screams and slashes and marks of pain. By the time the two boys got it off, the battle was already over. Rowyn was standing there with a clean sword, with a number of them unconscious at his feet. Furthermore, although Theo was sure he heard the sound of severed limbs, and saw it a bit, even the man who grabbed them has his hands attached.
"...Rowyn, how did you..."
"I keep a few potions with me at all times. We dont want the guard giving us trouble for going too far, but more importantly, I figured we would need to interrogate them. As i didn't know who had useful information, I left them all alive".
That said, their weapons had been broken quite a bit.
"...and you covered us why?"
"...aside from so neither of you saw the scene pre healing, also...I was not sure if any of them were strong, and I had to consider it might get bloody".
Rowyn had been considerate of their feelings, especially Sola who might just be a normal boy. A very popular one though.
However...
"So the test went well?"
"Yes".
There was another reason, but they didn't dare say the words outloud in front of Sola.
As that was going on though, suddenly the people started to get up again, with a look of bloodlust and madness in their eyes. This was nothing like how they were before, this was different. Unnatural and dangerous. Theo quickly started to channel his mana, but they charged first. Rowyn was quick to defend against them, surprised himself.
"The hell is this..."
"It looks like they are possessed or something".
"If they are, then in that case..."
Hearing that, Sola sprang into action. Theo was not sure what to expect at first, but then he seemed to take a stance, and he started to sing. As he did, he did a little dance, but that was not what caught Theo's gaze. It was the aura he emanated from his activities. It seemed to pour out and start to swirl around the various distorted figures.
The men lunged at Rowyn still, trying to tear at him with their fingers and teeth. Theo summoned a number of stars and used them to knock into them all, blasting them back and giving Rowyn some space to work on the others. Still, they got right back up, ignoring pain and injury to get at them. It was like they were zombies.
At first it wasn't quite clear what was going on with Sola's singing, but then whatever magic was holding them found itself dispelled, or whatever drug was affecting their minds was losing its effect. Whatever had a hold on these men, it was going away one way or another, and it was obvious Sola was the cause. His singing, filled with energy both magical and just normal energy, seemed to use its upbeat attitude to clear away the darkness in their minds.
Once that was done, they seemed to all pass out, so they were no longer going to be a major issue.
"Thank goodness it worked so quickly. Its probably because whatever drug they took only recently took effect. Had it been at full power, I dont think I could have stopped it as easily".
Sola said this, as Theo looked over at him.
"I wasn't aware you had such magical ability, Sola".
"Eh, you know who I am?"
"You did start singing and dancing after all".
"Ah..."
In truth Theo knew before that, but he didn't need to bring that up right now.
"In any case, we should get off the street and get some place safe. I am curious to know why you are out here, and why those guys were chasing you".
"Well, its a bit of a long story".
"And they just turned into psycho zombies and attacked us, so I am interested in hearing it".
"Ah, right..."
Sola seemed to understand, and nod. Theo summoned a spirit, and had it deliver a message back to the estate mentioning Rowyn had found some muggers and defeated them, and to capture them and see if they were working for anyone. After that, Rowyn picked them both up, and quickly rushed down a series of alleyways until they were far enough away and he put them down. They darted and dashed so much though, that Sola was a bit dizzy and needed time to adjust.
That said, he hadn't thrown up, and he didn't lose his balance. Considering how fast Rowyn had gone, and his overall physical abilities not to mention he didn't hold back, that would mean that he had a certain level of ability.
I suppose given how he probably trained a lot to have his abilities, I shouldn't be that surprised, but still. Rowyn didn't hold back, but still he seems a lot better then one would normally be. Sure Esre was fine when Rowyn did it for him during a drill, but that is Esre. Comparing normal people to Esre is just cruel. Same with the twins.
While thinking that, the two of them looked at Sola.
"Well, its a bit of a long story, so bear with me...do you know of the affiliate company that helps produce my music? Well, there have been some weird meetings lately, and everyone has felt more tense, especially around one of the sponsors. They never showed anything outwardly, but whenever they listened to my live performances, I can tell more stress is being released lately then normal, the effect is far greater. Because of that, I started looking into things, and I discovered there are a string of weird incidents, as well as some sort of special project. The words Obsidian Night came up when I was looking around the office into it, but nothing more then that, so I tried to visit a site...when suddenly I got ambushed by those guys".
...so basically, it feels like we just got involved right in the middle, or maybe a bit closer to the end, of an investigation. Obsidian Night though I know of. However, its a bit weird. Obsidian Night appeared in the second game, where Sola had no set arc. He shows up as a character, a recruitable ally and follower sure, but its not related to him. Eventually when you confront a vampire menace, its mentioned he got support from the Obsidian Night. But Sola's Arc involves Demonization and Demons. It did involve using Sola's powers for mind control, an ability Vampires sometimes possess, but...in the games they were totally separate. Unless I missed or forgot something like that. But that means two incidents at the school, and two of my deaths, are connected to this "Obsidian Night", whatever it is.
This was an unexpected gain, but furthermore, he was pretty sure he knew what this incident was for Sola. Part of his arc included memories that had been sealed, and this included some sort of attack as he had been asking questions. It was started to be unsealed during the first game's Sola arc, so clearly they had intended to capture Sola, and then use some sort of drug or magic, or most likely a combination of the two, to cover all this up.
However, unfortunately the Sola Arc in the first game was one that we dont see the big bad organization get dissolved. It was already known their would be more games, clearly this was done so it would be tackled in the future as well. Whoever this Obsidian Night group is, they also often got more aggressive, and Sola's arc got worse, the more the protagonist's actions were public and the enemies became aware of them. How will us interrupting here change the future?
Considering Theo's connection to the protagonists, the future should already be in a state of flux. The Delzar Archives wont be as big of a threat as they could have been, but there was no guarantee they would go to the same people. Theo knew the future was already starting to shift, but since the future led to his death, he was happy to do it.
"Sounds like something that definitely needs to be investigated. So where were you headed anyways?"
"To look at an external facility I discovered, however...that address was where those people ambushed me, and it otherwise looked vacant or empty".
It was probably set up to identify anyone who came looking.
"It was probably set up to identify anyone who came looking".
Sola proceeded to say the exact same thing that Theo had thought, making Theo briefly wondering if Sola could read minds.
"Hmmm. You know, I feel like I have heard another place that had that name" Theo said, putting up an act. In truth, he knew it thanks to game knowledge, during the parts when they visited the capital. Only by attacking this place can you find the anti-serum that stops Sola from being turned into a Demon, so Theo figured it would be a good idea to grab that potentially. It would be a rather odd way to secure victory, but it would help stop the route where Sola turns evil for sure, and would also help to prevent his own death surely.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
And so, the three proceeded to head there.
Meanwhile, in a dark crypt, a certain someone plotted and schemed. It had been fully converted into a workshop, with various chemicals around and gemstones about. To the side, a flier regarding the Summer Hall was there.
As he was working on something, another person, a young boy who appeared around 11-12, came in and got down on one knee. He looked incredibly anxious and nervous.
"...you dont have the materials?"
"Our forces were intercepted. Most didn't see a thing, but one briefly saw a maid, devastating their forces with some other plain looking people".
"...Imperial Spies most likely. And the others?"
"The other team actually encountered both materials, together. However, they were protected by a young boy who decimated them all, even after we started to exert control".
Hearing that, the boy had his head picked up and slammed into the nearby wall. He winced in pain, but not as much as the pain he got when the man started to squeeze.
"So you failed at every objective, and you let yourself get killed by a little brat? To think you were this incompetant, Vale. I would have thought the hundred or so years since I made you my slave, that you would be better then that".
"It's not my fault! That black cat beastkin boy, he cut through everything like it was nothing! He was using some sort of addvanced sword style, and I think his name was...Rowyn?"
Hearing that, Vale was suddenly dropped to the ground, the alchemist baring his fangs and clearly interested. He got out a sketch, and showed it to Vale.
"Did he look like this?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Impossible. I saw him die myself. We all got together to make sure he was dead. How.....how is Rowyn still alive?!"
The alchemist punched a wall, and it left a dent in the stone wall. He then kicked Vale halfway across the room in the stomach, causing him to groan and curl up on the floor in pain.
"If Rowyn is back in this day and age, he will almost certainly end up crushing our plans again. Even though he wasn't even aware our plans existed back then, he still kept crushing them left and right! Him and that annoying grandfather, and then that Yasuri brat as well! Wait, but for Rowyn to appear here again, could it be a coincidence?"
He looked back at the flier, and narrowed his eyes.
"Dont tell me, he figured it out...if thats the case, then we cant delay. Vale, make preparations!"
Vale looked at the man with bloodshot eyes, but his body rose from the floor despite that. No, it was only barely a natural rise, it looked like some force was making him rise just a bit unnaturally.
"Understood, sire".
And just like that, Vale left the room, leaving the sadistic alchemist...the Vampire, and his master...to his potions and projects.
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Theo, Rowyn, and Sola arrived at the place in question.
It was only at this time that Theo started to realize something.
Maybe it wasn't the best idea to come here ourselves.
Theo was starting to think that perhaps this was not the best idea. He got swept up in the idea of progress, and stopping things before they start, that he rushed off without thinking it all the way through.
Just as Theo was thinking that though, Rowyn cut the lock on the door and kicked it open.
"Rowyn?!"
"Something isn't right here...its a bad feeling".
Rowyn ended up entering first, and then Theo and Sola followed. What awaited them inside was a young boy, who appeared about the same age as Rowyn, and a group of people of various ages and genders behind him. There were probably about a dozen and a half.
Rowyn narrowed his eyes. As he looked to the door, it sealed shut on its own.
"Tsk. Vampires".
"Vampires?!"
Once again, Vampires with a connection to Obsidian Night. Without a doubt, this was getting serious. Theo felt like they might have just uncovered a major enemy way ahead of schedule.
"Master seemed worried when he saw you, so he sent me to deal with you" the boy said, his fangs emerging from his mouth. "I suppose I dont have a choice then".
"Well, sounds like he has a number of things on his mind. Think we can meet him?"
"Sorry, thats not allowed" the boy said, as blood emerged from his arm and struck at him like a cobra, or a whip. Rowyn parried it easily.
Sola took out what appeared to be the hilt of a sword, only it looked like a microphone. In fact, he was holding it upside down, and as a result it looked completely like a fancy microphone. However, the vampire didn't let that slide, and sent all of the vampires out at once. He also dashed his fingers across the air, and suddenly a large blanket shot out and wrapped itself around Sola.
However, that was ill advised as well. Theo summoned up his energy.
"I need you, Guardian Knight!"
With this, Rowyn returned to full power and entered his spiritual form, a large knight with a sword and shield, while Theo braced himself as the recoil of using more power then he should be able to handle hit him. He was able to erect a barrier around himself still, but his concentration and focus meant he would only be able tot launch the occasional offensive spell due to the strain on them.
The Vampire was shocked, as the Guardian Knight suddenly cut through the lesser vampires with ease.
"That bastard, is controlling me not enough? Is he now trying to kill me off just to see him fight?! He must have known about this!"
He muttered that enough, as fury entered his eyes. He had the lesser vampires spread out and maintained his own distance. Rowyn dodged most attacks, so he made it so Rowyn was always between himself and the barrier Theo had, which caused him to block more instead of dodging.
As I thought! He is protecting them. That barrier even surrounds Sola, well played. But I refuse to die here!
The vampire activated his full power. Blood seemed to flow around him, two different types. One a darker crimson, and one a brighter red. The blood turned into spears, and fired at Rowyn. He blocked some, but others hit and did some severe damage. Nothing critical, but it was the most damage Theo had ever seen the Guardian Knight form take before.
It was a sign of just how strong that Vampire was. His attacks before though didn't have that power.
The lesser vampires were all dispatched with ease, but this one put up quite a bit of a fight. Rowyn tried to avoid using too much strength, to reduce the burden on Theo, but he was seriously fighting now against this boy.
Something about that second blood is powering him up. From what I heard him mumble before, that might be his master's blood. Or perhaps something dangerous he is doing out of desparation.
However, right as Sola was freeing himself, something else strange occured.
In an instant, a wall near them was demolished, and the Vampire had to block a second attack.
There was someone there who Theo truly, did not expect to see. One of the most common routes of the male protagonist, and a character that was in the game since the start.
Cynthia Velmont had arrived, busting down a wall and cutting into the vampire.
WHAT THE ACTUALLY FUCK?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Theo was left speechless and astonished. Of all the possibilities that he thought could happen, Cynthia suddenly raiding a warehouse was not among them. Especially one that belonged to this mysterious Obsidian Night group.
Then again, Demons did also appear in her plotline too, which made Theo briefly wonder if perhaps Obsidian Night was involved in that as well.
However, he was far too shocked to think logically in that moment, so that would be thoughts in the future. Right now, his head was spinning.
He had just met Sola, Valyr, and Cynthia within a day. In a couple of hours at that. That seemed highly unusual.
"What the hell?!"
"I heard a fight going on, so I decided to investigate!"
I forgot! She is an Esre type! That totally fits! In fact, wasn't her mother from Yasuri?! Ahhhhh, I dont know if I have the stamina to deal with two of them. But whatever, reliable reinforcements! Focus on the positives!
As the fight progressed, the remaining lesser vampires tried to attack Theo and Sola, but Cynthia suddenly moved like the wind and cut through a bunch of them.
The boy vampire clicked his tongue, but ended up noticing that the hole brought in more sunlight. Seeing the situation change, he decided to back off.
"That should fulfill my obligation. I am sure to get beat up for this, but at least I wont die" he muttered, as he suddenly turned into a black mist. Rowyn slashed at it, but it flew away so it was only a shallow cut.
However, that was not without dropping a few explosives with lit fuses. Rowyn moved to protect them, creating a barrier with his shield while Theo let Cynthia into his own barrier. The explosives quickly rocked everywhere, causing the entire building to collapse on top of them and destroying any evidence in the process.
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By the time Theo came to, he was staring at the afternoon sky, being carried on someone's back. He looked down to see Rowyn, back in his normal form, who was Sola in his arms. They were positioned like hooks and wrapped around him, which let him also hold Theo's hands to make sure he stayed on.
And surroundingg them was Zuuki, Esre, Zak, Zoa, and Runo.
"Sorry for being late" Theo said, as Rowyn let him down. As he did, Sola seemed to wake up as well, so he was finally able to let him down as well. "Erm...so I guess we are not in trouble then?"
"Haaa, I didn't wait around. Cynthia ran off too by the way, but somehow we managed to escape before the guards arrived. I suspect that would have been too troublesome for everyone, right?"
Sola nodded, while everyone else was staring.
"It really is Sola..."
"Amazing..."
"Its my first time meeting someone so famous that isn't a noble!"
"Ahahahahahaha..."
Sola let out a dry laugh, as they made it back to the way.
"Speaking of which...what should we do about me?"
"Its possible those guys might try to attack you again, and we need to report the attack to my father properly, so lets have you stay over tonight".
"Yeah, thats probably for the best. It seems like your place is very well secured".
"Alright. Now, lets go in and get settled!"
There was more everyone wanted to say and ask about, but no one was willing to bring it up right then and there, so they decided to go with the flow and followed Theo inside.
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Later that night, Theo sat in the windowsil in his nightshirt, looking out at the night sky. The others were passed out in the various beds lined up in the lavish room, something they had to do since Theo's mother and father both had individual guests over and somehow the entire guest house got used up, partially with recommendations from his sister. Everyone else was wearing just a nightshirt as well, as it was too warm. Considering it was only the start of summer, with this heat it was no wonder children often slept nude in the summer.
As for the report, his father had naturally gotten very worried, and then promised to handle everything. However, that was not the only worry on Theo's mind.
First the heroes and Runo, then Rowyn. After that was Esre, and then we had Valyr, Cynthia, and Sola. I also encountered the Black Book and Obsidian Night. No matter how I look at it, my encounter rate is way too high. There is absolutely no reason I should have this many encounters with this many central characters so easily.
With the twins and Runo, it had seemed like chance. And with Esre, there was a connection between their families. Even with Rowyn, there was a connection as well, so it all made sense to some extent. As such, Theo had been able to write it off for the most part.
But now they had three encounters with main characters within a day of arriving at the Imperial Capital. They encountered Obsidian Night as well, which now seemed to have connections to both Sola and Valyr's arc, and perhaps even Cynthia's.
They were probably building it up for future games, but that also means Obsidian Night is a terrifying organization capable of being that dangerous. And now, I will undoubtedly be their target. We will have to play it safe for now, use maximum safety measures at least until the Summer Hall, and then we should prepare to leave right away. We will need to fortify our bases and stock up, because this one be so simple and easy I suspect.
Theo had nothing but worries, as he looked out into the night. But it was his burden, he was the one at most risk, so he felt he had to be responsible for it.
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At the same time, Duke Cromwell looked at the reports. As he did, Rowyn entered, still wearing only a nightshirt.
"You should rest as well, you know".
"Well, I am still working, and that doesn't mean much coming from the one who is still awake at midnight as well".
"At least change into your nightshirt".
"I cant focus if I feel a breeze down there. Pants and underwear are good for focus sometimes".
Rowyn went over to the alcohol cabinet, and got out two glasses and a nice cystal bottle. He set them down and proceeded to pour into both, before putting it down and enjoying the smell of it.
"Smells even better then the last time I smelled it".
"I am sure it tastes better too, having been a hundred years".
"So, how is the plan?"
"The gem will be accessible, and the method to break the curse is ready. The potion was prepared using the opposite ingredients to what was found, but it will only remove it temporarily. Still, with you here, so long as you do that, it should work just fine. Still, we cant be sure if the enemy will be there or not".
"Its the most heavily guarded party, but...we have a bigger issue, as you know".
"Obsidian Heart...to think they would be a threat to my son".
"Its the same as the documents your grandfather recovered. The ones about the curse. To think that Obsidian Heart would be related to both incidents. Whoever they are, they have been planning this for a long, long time".
"And now we know they are connected to Vampires. This is going to be quite the ordeal".
"But, if we succeed, Elias might be able to tell us more, such as why they used him".
"Then we have no choice. We proceed with the plan. Just remember to make sure its casual. After all, the prince is just an innocent unknowing pawn in all this".
Rowyn nodded, as the two continued to make their plans.