- Day 11 -

Emily

The purple-red sky soaking onto my bedroom floor from the open window shows the sun beginning to set. As I enter my room, wrapped tightly in my robe, I can't help but stare off in wonder at it. The moment of serenity was just that though, a moment, As Emily is downstairs complaining loudly about something.

..She must still be doing chores.

I continue in, closing the door behind me and sit on the bed. Now and then I hear a bit of the conversation and can't help but giggle to myself.

-- 'It's not fair I tell ya! Why do I have to put them away as well!'

Big sis Kate told you too, that's why~

..This probably gives me some time to put questions to AE.

I've pondered on a number of things, but the more I got lost in my thoughts, the more I began to think about this world. I mean, all I really know at this point is based on the Kingdom of Sinki. It wouldn't be a bad thing to understand more about the continent I'm on, not to mention the races that reside here.

You there AE?

[** Correct **]

Stiff as usual... So how many; No wait.. How many sentient species share this planet?

[** Twelve **]

Huh, it's more than expected. I've only encountered 7 or 8 so far..

..How many were native to this world?

[** One **]

Bingo! So it's as I thought. The so-called 'gods' of this world bought species from other worlds to this planet ..but the 'why' still eludes me. AE?

[** Cannot access. Requested information restricted. Intervention Detected **]

I figured that would be the case. If I word my questions carefully, I can get little hints but the broader the subject, the more likely I am to get blocked.

Still, it's been hinted to me heavily that I've been bought here for a specific task and part of that seems to be to discover the 'why' for myself. Well whatever, if I can't get an answer now, I'm sure one will come eventually. Moving on.

AE, the menu system, it's displayed by that 'Optic Nerve' you mentioned?

[** Optical Nerve Interface. Correct **]

Can you use it to visualise things? Like, say, a three-dimensional object?

[** Possible **]

Could you show me a map of this continent?

[** Processing **]

[** Missing Skill **]

[** Required. 'Mana Focus' **]

[** Required. 'Mana Weave' **]

Fair enough. I'll put those on my 'priority to get' list. For now, can you tell me about the lands and regions surrounding Sinki? Just in case monsters start spewing over the city walls and all.

[** Northern Border **]

[** Republic of Havoris **]

[** Primary Race. Human. Hostile to non-humans **]

[** Hostile to Sinki **]

Rules them out. Guess I should be grateful I didn't end up there--

[** North Eastern Border **]

[** Kingdom of Valis **]

[** Primary Race. Human. Hostile to non-humans. **]

[** Neutral to Sinki **]

[** South-Eastern Border **]

[** Kingdom of Requis **]

[** Primary Race. Human. Hostile to non-humans **]

[** Favourable to Sinki **]

[** Western Border **]

[** Kingdom of Quali **]

[** Primary Race. Human. Hostile to non-humans **]

[** In decline with Sinki **]

[** North Western Border **]

[** Tribal Region. No Primary Race. Multiple factions of multiple races **]

Well. That's--

*WHOOSH BANG*

*jump*

Emily comes crashing into the room like a hurricane, staring at me like some wild animal... Naturally, I jumped out of my skin.

"...*tch*"

..Oh, was she hoping to catch me naked?

"You done?"

She sighs and nods before closing the door gently.

[Vacuum Barrier] (50 MP + (2PI * Radius MP) | 10 MP every 5 minutes)

HP: 666 / 666 MP: 1287 / 1400 ST: 933/933

"A..barrier?"

Her surprise is to be expected I guess; I still haven't explained my abilities to her.

"Yeah, something I picked up yesterday. This way no one can hear--"

She shoots me a lewd look while posing provocatively.

"..*Sigh* You know fine well what I mean."

I say while bopping her on the head with an open hand before retaking my seat on the bed and gesturing to her to do the same.

"It's about time we had that chat--"

She sits down beside me, crossing one leg under her while I recount the events since my revival. I deliberately spare no detail, just as I did for Risk, pausing to answer her questions and taking time to be as thorough as possible with my answers. I don't know why but I honestly expected shock or some essence of confusion, I mean, I'm telling her I met a supposed divine entity, but she just looks to accept everything I tell her with a seemingly open mind. Part of me can't help but wonder if she understands half of it though..

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"So ya told Risk all this.. before me!?"

Of course, that's what she'd jump to.

"Y-yes, but in my defence! I didn't really have a choice.. and besides, it was you who stopped me telling you last time."

"I know but..."

Ah.. don't pout like that...

"*sigh*..Come on, tell me how I can make it up to you."

"Anything?"

"Within reason."

If it were anyone else, I would have just said yes.

"..promise that--"

She goes bright red as she attempts to mumble it out.

"You'll.. You'll not leave me behind! ..."

"..."

Ah.. that pulled on my heartstrings.. I may not be able to return her love for me, but I can't help but want to protect her when she's like this..

"That should be a given you dolt, but I'll say it anyway. I would never, could ever, abandon you. You're.. important to me. More so than I can express with words Emily."

Ugh, I want to slap those words out of me. So much cheese!--

She lunges and wraps herself around me, hugging tightly... Too tightly!

"E-Emily, I can't... breathe."

"S-sorry"

"T-thanks... N-Now, come on, it's your turn. Tell me what you know."

She sits up straight, pulls her leg out from under her before raising her finger to her lip and cocking her head.

"I know stuff about Vampires and the like, my uncle's one, but I only know the about 'Awakened Ones' from a tale."

"Your uncles a vampire?"

"Well ya.. Did I not tell ya that before?--"

She tilts her head from left to right, like a dog slowly wagging their tail. No Emily, you did not!

"He's not a noble or anything. Just a regular vampire. I believe he's called a caste? Or something like that; someone whose lineage is not of pure vampyric blood--"

She pauses after seeing my confusion.

"He was turned by a pureblood so he's compelled t'serve the bloodline that turned him."

So basically her uncle is a servant vampire..?

"I was like really little when it happened, so I don't remember much 'bout it. I was there though, when it happened I mean. I don't really understand it, but from what my dad told me, my uncle chose to be turned to save me. Anyway, he really took to being a Night Stalker and always came to visit me to tell me stories of all the vampire legends--"

I feel like we've brushed over something important there...

"One of them was about the Awakened Ones. I don't remember it too well, but I can recount it?"

"Please"

I'm not going to lie; this might be the first real hint as to what I am. I'm a little nervous about it.

"Basically there's Edoas right, all father and creator. Mia the moon goddess and Sia the sun goddess. Edoas and Sia were in love see, and they birthed the trees, birds and well, life. Mia was also in love with Edoas and in her attempt to make Edoas notice her, created the stars up high and the insects that roam the lands. Edoas praised Mia for her creations, much to the dis..dis--"

Your language skill is higher than mine Emily.. Fine, I'll bite.

"Disdain?"

"Yeah! Disdane of Sia. She worried that Mia would steal Edoas away from her, so a rivalry happened. Sia created fish, so Mia created bigger fish that ate the smaller ones. Sia created animals that walk on all lands, so Mia created demons that preyed on them and so on until eventually, Mia created the awakened ones. Beings in Edoas own image with a divine power flowing through them. Edoas was in awe of Mia's creation which distasted--"

..Are you being deliberately cute? ..I'm annoyed that I find it cute..

"Distressed"

"That's what I said! Distressded Sia greatly. She created the Dogkin, Catkin and all the known races but nothing took Edoas eye from Mia's creation. Enraged, Sia sought to unite her creations against Mia's and so the first war of races began..."

AE, the initial sentient race on this planet, was it the Awakened Ones?

[** Correct **]

Are any others still alive or is it just me?

[** Cannot access. Requested information restricted. Intervention Detected **]

That's not a no.

"..That's about all I can remember though Master. I know that Mia and Sia eventually get along, but I can't remember why.. Sorry--"

Hmm. There are a few things here I'm not sure about. It's clear that I'm kin of the 'god' named 'Edoas' and 'created' by this 'Mia' character. I had a feeling it was something along those lines as I keep seeing the names pop up everywhere. I guess that explains both of those statues from where I first woke up but.. What caused them to drop their dispute?

Reviewing everything I've heard and learnt to date... It has to be to do with the other 'gods'. Did their war inadvertently birth more 'gods'? Gods that now manage each of the races? It's speculatory but.. it does follow a logical progression... Too much of it is guesswork though. I need facts!

"Thanks, Emily. It's a lot more than I knew--"

"T, There is something else.. but, it's more of something I heard; a rumour really."

"I'd prefer facts but if you think it's relevant--"

"I know it's just..I think there might be more of yous with the desert elves. There's some big clan down there, and their eyes glow sometimes."

I had already planned to visit my supposed 'homeland' once I had the airship. I guess I now have an actual reason but still, it's a long way off before I'll have the means to travel there.

"Hmm, your right. The rumour was worth hearing Emily, thank you. We currently lack a decent method of travel so we can't just leave to investigate it though. For now, we'll concentrate on answers we can reasonably get. Do you know where your uncle might be?"

She shakes her head.

"Sorry Master, not seen him in years."

I guess that's to be expected. I doubt her uncle, after apparently willingly becoming a vampire to save her, would allow Emily to become a slave on his watch.. I hope he's all right, for Emily's sake if nothing else.

"I'll keep an ear open then. Perhaps there might be something in the library instead.. Thanks, Emily"

She half-smiles at me. I know this look; she wants something.

"Master. I wanna come with yous tomorrow."

I kinda saw that coming, but I still act surprised.

"It'll be dangerous, and besides, you're not ready for it yet. I'm not confident that I could protect both you and myself at the same time which is why--"

"I know... I get it. I do all right! I do.. but I still wanna go!"

I don't understand her sudden desire to get into the thick of it with us. Just the other day she seemed to dislike the very idea of being on the front lines, and now, with only a days training under her, she wants to walk straight into danger? I know Bella's training is fierce, but if she can't handle that, she'll hardly be able to handle the catacombs any better.

"I already told you that I want you with us once your ready but you're not yet so why rush this?"

She shakes her head at me.

"Ya wouldn't understand. Just.. Please let me go with yous tomorrow?"

I feel like pressing her for a reason will only backfire on me. It.. I don't really have a choice here, do I?

Despite my words, I'm confident that I could get her out of there if something were to happen but without that archery skill, she'll not be able to protect herself at all. I don't think Risk would..ah.

"Fine. You'll have to stay in the middle and no messing around--"

"Yesss! I promise! I'll be the perfect little soldier!"

"You didn't let me finish! You'll have to get Bella and Risk's approval first. If they both say no, then you'll stay behind and have no complaints!"

She smiles widely before jumping off the bed with excitement. I really don't understand what's going on with her but if going into a deep dark, dank cave system with us makes her happy, so be it. I just hope I can keep her safe. Besides, I doubt Bella and Risk will allow it anyway. I'll let them be the bad guys.

"No problem! Imma go down and train some more before it gets too dark--"

I nod and dispel the barrier for her. It's already pitch black outside the window, but I won't dampen her mood.

I guess this means we're all going to the Catacombs tomorrow-- Oh.

"Ask Millie to prepare some provisions with breakfast tomorrow, about two days worth to be safe!"

...No response. Hopefully, she heard me.

*Yawn*

Phew, I'm actually pretty beat for once. It's dark out so perhaps I should just get some sleep tonight. I don't think there's anything that needs my attention right now..

Yeah, early night sounds good... I'll just lay back...

...

There is Sybil though. I should probably go and talk to her about what the detailed scan showed me. ..I should probably try and bond with her a bit as well, she is new to the group after all, so it's the right thing to do..

..She's a quiet type though..

Yeah.. I'm not very good with those at all! Perhaps it's best to let her come to me and just keep including her with the group??

While pondering on what to do about Sybil, I get changed into my nightwear and climb into bed, only to get back out immediately as I forgot to down the light crystal; I miss electricity. I haven't said goodnight to everyone, but I'm sure they'll figure out I've gone to sleep by themselves...