A carriage rolled over a mash of green and dirt. Four white horses dragged the haul, a coachman held the reins, and four knights on horseback surrounded it in a steady haste.

"There we have it," A figure quietly sat upon a tree branch, her crimson eyes reflecting the approaching carriage.

Dark, blue hair blew against the spring wind, the hat upon it threatening to fly off. She took out a brown bag, reached into it and pulled out a beef jerky—dried to the bitter end. Her teeth, more akin to shredders, crunched down.

"You can engage them now," She said, chewing ever so slowly as she swung her legs back and forth.

It was salty, the lingering taste didn't sit well with the weather. As bad as it tasted, it was far better than craving a human.

"Oh well," She took out another, licking her thin lips as a roar reached her ears.

She didn't believe her dear sister could resist.

"Let me see how you've been, my cute, little darling~"

The crunch of her teeth accompanied another roar. A beast of blackened fur broke out from the forest and ran toward the carriage. It was pig-like in nature, stubble legs much smaller than its body, two elongated tusks, but about as large as the vehicle itself; its movements were erratic, bobbing everywhere as if it had been entranced by the smell of humans, its drool splattered and it charged head-on.

The four knights quickly hefted themselves from their horses as the carriage stopped, their weapons left their sheaths. They took their roles, formed a semi-circle before the carriage and watched the approaching monster in contempt.

"Grandeur flames, destroy my. . ."

One of them stretched out a hand, his lips moving in a chant as red light danced on his finger tips.

"Stop," Ais's voice suddenly commanded as she hopped down from the carriage.

"I'll handle it."

She said, her blue sword leaving its holster as silver gleamed under the sun. She walked calmly toward the beast, only the thought of its death in her mind; it was already nothing more than a corpse.

The creature refused to stop.

She placed one leg back, crouched and ducked slightly as her weapon went to her side.

"First form. . ."

She pulled her weapon, a burning light emanated from the blade as she slashed.

"."

A light streak followed her seamless silver blade as it traced the body of the beast.

Its frontal leg flew as blood escaped the wound. The beast crashed onto the ground.

"Hmm, Alex would do well afterall," A figure murmured, standing up as she reclaimed her paper bag into her ring, 'It's not pleasant to litter.'

Her body flickered, and soon, she disappeared.

Ais stared down at the creature. It laid limp on the floor, it was still breathing. There was white foam surrounding its mouth, it wasn't merely drools, and its crimson eyes were clouded dull.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

She swiftly pierced its head, concluding its life.

Why had a beast appeared so readily to combat them? Most beasts that were not born within Dungeons avoided humans, especially groups of humans such as their own.

'It's an irregular,' She thought, 'Or. . .'

She pondered about the fight. It had been too simple. Too quick. And the beast had failed to desperately thrash about or try to run away when it recognized that its life was soon to be forfeited. No matter how unique a demonic beast was, it was still a beast that should have followed its instincts. And the foaming at its mouth. . .she had thought it was simply starving, but those eyes of the creature were much too dead to be so.

'It was a controlled beast.' She concluded.

Whether it was summoned or tamed, she knew, it was definitely a controlled beast.

She stared ahead, eyes squinted upon a tree, "Ridiculous."

Ais shook her blade clean, placed it back into its sheath, and commanded the knights as she returned.

"Clean the area, and continue on. We're to reach Kent within the morning."

The followed their orders.

"That was fast." Maria said.

"Indeed. It was only an old friend."

"I see?" The princess replied with curiosity and turned back to her brother.

"Sheesh,"

She watched as the short boy continually tapped the armrest. It had been 8 years, a left shoulder ended with a tied armhole, and his usually mischievous red eyes were struggling to maintain their calmness.

"It makes me jittery, ya'know."

Maria took her eyes back to his pale face, "It's atleast better than simply sitting at home. . ."

"I don't know," The boy shrugged in reply.

She blinked.

"Although, it's odd. It's been 8 years and they only now have something to show for it? The Mana Circuit Guild. . .what their doing. . .let's hope it's up to task, else I'll personally ask father to recede the investments," Maria said, folding her arms and legs.

The boy smiled in reply to her fiery eyes. He hovered a hand over his missing arm, the thought that he may remain this way forever had once haunted him. But. . .after the years of trialing light mages, after the family had personally sent out a summons to anyone with the skill to heal him, and nothing to show for it; he was dulled. The only small flame remaining was where they were headed, the city of Kent, and the hope placed in the hands of the MCG--hope he didn't know how to fully deal with.

"I don't think we need to jump to conclusions," He continued, "How's your training going anyway? You sure you're up for the hunt?"

It was as if he was in a bid to diffuse his own tension, to change the subject. She thought it was interesting how he thought she was dumb. She smiled.

"I've reached a point in my swordsmanship where I can't grow without actual battles, the hunt is a perfect test. As for magic. . .we both know how that is."

He laughed, "Yeah, you don't need to tell me that one."

"I'll kick you out of my carriage," A vein seemed to twitch.

"Your carriage?" He suddenly stopped and raised a brow.

"Yes."

He laughed once more, making sure to rub it in her face again.

"That's hilarious. . .alright, when I become King, watch me kick you out of my kingdom."

She rolled her eyes, "It isn't my fault anyway."

"How is it not your fault?"

"I suck at magic, uncle's help does nothing."

"Oh boo woo, I suck at swords!"

"Yes you do," Maria nodded, a sudden hint of smugness crossing her face.

"What are you being so high and mighty for?"

"You can both simply agree that you each suck at something."

The two stared at Ais.

". . .you're too cruel." Arthur muttered.

The personal guard blinked, "?"

"What you two lack in range, you make up for in exceeding talent in your field. I doubt there could be a better duo, if you each continue to grow."

"Makes sense, I suppose," Maria replied with a sigh.

"I guess so."

The carriage quieted down.

She took a breath and receded her awareness.

A split-second later, and she was within a world of white.

The sword still gently floated since the day she saw it. She had once thought it as nothing more than a dream, but as days became weeks, weeks become months, and months turned into years, it had become something so concrete—a space she found herself able to enter, able to reside in as nothing more than a formless being staring silently at a floating sword chained three times.

One black chain wrapped around the scarlet grip, blending up into a white nothingness, and two more wrapped either side of its silver handle, each also entering a void.

'Why do you look at me with such contemptuous eyes. . .

Behind that chained weapon, the hazy figure of a gray girl stared at her with sharp silver eyes. Eyes that never left her own. No matter which view she took, they always seemed to haunt her. It was enough to send a shiver through her spin. Each time.

"We're here."

She opened her eyes.

"Finally."