Do I know?
Nope! Something something… I’ve absolutely no clue!
“Jasper… what’d you just say?”
So, I quit. We’re hitting the cheat sheet and asking her directly baybee!
“Mm.”
“NOT IMPORTANT? BBBBBBBullSHIT respectfully!”
“Mhm.”
I swear, on jah, I can feel her laughing at me, and even more than that I can feel she has precisely zero intention to explain why.
Before I can let her have it in a manner some would refer to as advanced interrogation tactics involving Screech being told she'd be willing to answer a few questions, Firliam interrupts and asks me a question. “You, for real this time, what is your name," he asks, turning his focus away from Jasper and to me as he steps towards the flame. The flame which is actively melting Screech’s brain. Just in case there was any confusion as to which one it was.
Now... should I actually tell 'em this time? I suppose I might as well, they're not exactly my opp right now, so I suppose it couldn't hurt. With a sigh, I roll my eyes and just tell them.
“Koth.”
“Interesting name,” they scoff, clearly not believing me, “but very well, it is at least something to refer to you as. Koth, it is not your fault that Jasper has decided to follow you instead of remaining among peers, so I shall not blame you. And I cannot blame her either, there are things she must do, after all.”
…Right.
“However, as I’m sure you’ve heard, I cannot in good consciousness send her on her own out into the world without any assistance. At first I simply attacked you out of frustration, and for that you have my apologies. But you have demonstrated your skill clearly, and I have faith that if she remains with you, she will at least not face a pointless end. So, in this, I am also confident in giving you a gift.”
…
Reaching directly into the flickering flame, it immediately roars to life around Firliam’s paws.
(Screech leans forward ever curious)
Yet it does not burn them, the flames coursing around their arms, up their body and around their chest.
(And almost falls over yet again)
"This is the ultimate support I can give you without jeopardizing all of us here."
(I have to catch her before she does)
The flames coalesce, all together all at once, burning brighter than ever before.
(And... she just goes limp)
Pulling their arms back, out of the now much dimmer flames, in Firliam's paw they hold a sword, its blade no longer than a meter, along with a sheath in the other. Despite the size of the blade, it's easily over double its length. Yet despite that, they bring the two together either way, cleanly sheathing the blade in the oversized scabbard.
They turn once more, holding the weapon out to me as if presenting me a crown.
"A sword and shield crafted with the energy of a thousand phantoms, drawn from our Wildflame. It is for you, and for Ar-Felinel. Wield it well."
My (free) hand gently settles down on the blade, grasping it as Firliam releases it into my hold.
Rewards determined!
+2000 exp!
+Phantomcleave!
+Wailing Hunt!
Phantomcleave (Epic Growth)
+45% Power
Created with a large amount of power from The Wild Hunt, Phantomcleave is a weapon molded to accommodate its wielder to the utmost. Capable of shifting forms to a certain degree, this weapon cannot truly break unless destroyed by holy power.
LVL 10-Phantomcleave cannot hit the user's allies unintentionally.
LVL 20-?
LVL 30-?
LVL 40-?
And on and on it goes all the way up until 150, which is... interesting? But what's even more interesting... is that it's not the only item here.
Wailing Hunt (Rare Growth)
+20% Power
Created with a large amount of power from The Wild Hunt, Wailing Hunt is the scabbard of Phantomcleave, reconstituting the blade into whatever shape the user desires so long as it fits within the scabbard whilst sheathed. However, Wailing Hunt is also a powerful shield, being completely impervious to physical attacks. Due to this, it's also functional as a staff in combat.
-Critical Hits disorient enemies.
-Blocking powerful attacks disorients enemies
The scabbard itself is a proper item as well! Though... it's like two meters long, so should I just hold it in my inventory instead of actually treating it like a scabbard? Questions for later. I've got some questions for NOW.
"Alright, while I appreciate the gifts..."
"Yes?" Firliam tilts his head curiously.
"What... have you even been talking about? I have absolutely no clue what you're on about. With Jasper 'choosing to travel' with me, however you just made this sword, literally anything about The Wild Hunt in general? I've got just about no idea what any of it means."
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
"...Hm? Surely you have some idea of what it is. How could you have lived in this world and not known who The Wild Hunt was?"
"No-not that, I understand that this whole thing EXISTS, but I don't know any of the specifics about it."
"I-how?"
Fwuaghaw-I give my best shrug to that, because I dunno you'd THINK I'd know with a wild hunt'er in my party!
"Everybody tells me jack shit that's how!"
"Jasper has told you nothing about us?"
For her part, she does her best at sitting pretty and looking innocent. She's very good at it.
"Literally nothing I didn't even know she knew any of you until we got down here, which is weird because as far as I'm aware she's a cat that's lived all the way off in a forest miles and miles and miles away from here until very recently?"
Even as Firliam slowly turns to stare her down, she continues to do her best impression of a silly statue.
"Let me get this straight, Jasper."
"Yes?"
"Ar-Felniel."
"Didn't know that was part of her name."
They look as if they're going to have an aneurysm, but manage to wave it off. "...Has told you precisely nothing about what happened to those who followed The Wild Hunt?"
"Hit the nail on the head there!"
Their paws rise, covering the bridge of their snout, rubbing at it gently as they attempt to fathom whatever it is that's throwing them for a loop right now.
"So you've just been going along with whatever, without knowing anything at all?"
"Pretty much."
"You're a fool."
Ehhhhh...
"Meh, I won't deny that," I shrug gently.
You know, aside from the whole broke my friend's jaw thing, this guy isn't so bad! ...Would you call a bird's beak their jaw?
"...I take it you have no problem with me clearing up a little bit of info for our associate here," they half state-half threaten Jasper as their paws fall back to their sides.
For her part, she plays the role of a statue slightly less well. If she could sweat, we'd be drenched. Even at a distance.
For, my part! Snapping biggie and middle into a thumbs up, I give them the grand ol okay. "Lay it on me Monsieur Firliam."
But instead of immediately speaking, he looks off to the left, back down the passageway between this hall and the arena that we fought in.
"...Problem?"
"No, nothing, I just expected at least somebody to come running with such a disturbance to the Wildflame by now. I'm going to need to educate them later, I suppose. How about we go take a seat? This may take a moment."
"Sounds good," I nod my agreement, gazing down the same passageway, growls and the like echoing out from within. Probably fighting by now I'd wager. They'll be fighting for something else real soon I get the feeling. Good luck to all of you...
---
"So, where shall we start," they ask as I sit down, situating myself above Jasper, whom remains on the floor.
"Well... you were talking about something along the lines of whatever happened to people who were allies with The Wild Hunt, or something like that?
"Ah, of course. Given Jasper hasn't informed you already, for some reason."
"I know, she's so reserved," I nod, crossing my legs. Sheesh, finally have a reasonable outlet to vent to about her! She's such a goober! Ah-one second.
"Screech get away from that! You literally said it'd have enough power to blow this whole place sky high. Do you REALLY want to touch that?"
"Y-
"Actually, poor choice of words, DO, NOT, TOUCH THAT!"
"Fiiiiiiiine! But you promised to let me do what I wanted!"
"No, I promised you a nice day! Killing yourself is not involved in that deal!"
"Mmm."
"LISTEN TO THE EXPERT! Jasper's got an idea of what it is, and she's telling you DO, NOT, TOUCH!"
"But-"
"You know what? Come over here."
"But-"
"Just, do it, o k a y?"
"Sorry-" I clear my throat as I pay attention to Firliam once more. "What were you saying?"
"...I was about to explain to you what happened to us?"
"Of course, of course, carry on."
"We all died."
"Pardon?"