Yasuline had that dream again. She couldn't exactly put her finger on an exact description of what it was, but she knew it was a dream she had before. Because all she was seeing was darkness. Empty space.
"..."
She tried to move her body, but couldn't. But knew she had a body to move. She tries again, and again.
"...Wa..."
She felt something touch her. Something touched her body. She was definitely sleeping, but she was unable to wake up. She had to keep trying to move her body. She somehow knew that was how she will wake up.
"....Wake..."
She could feel one of her fingers move. That was good. Next, she would be able to wiggle her toes. One step at a time. Little by little, she was beginning to get a better feel of her body.
"Wake up."
The voice calling out to her was getting more and more clear. The vision she was looking at was shifting to a more gray environment. Though, it wasn't a place, as it was more of a tunnel, with whirling lines that spiral to the end of the tunnel far ahead of her. She wondered what could be on the other side of there.
It could be her adventuring nature to want to know, but she had more important matters to consider, like...
"Wake up, Yasuline."
Queen Noria would call out to her daughter as she saw her eyes flutter as she was finally coming to.
"Suko, she is coming back." She would call out as more and more movements were happening. Suko was sitting by the corner of the door frame of the balcony, watching the castle workers work hard to clean the mess of the castle. Hearing her daughter, snapped him out of his distraction and he would storm over and leans slightly over her.
And just in time, as Yasuline starts opening her eyes, and instead of the ceiling of her room greeting her "Good morning," it was the smiling faces of her mother and father.
"Mom? Dad?"
"Good morning, Yasuline." They say in unison and each lightly touching her cheeks until she starts trying to sit up.
"What are you guys doing in my room?"
"Well, waiting for you to wake up." Her mother answered sincerely.
"You sure took your sweet time too, you missed out so many mealtimes." Her father added, finishing off his little joke with a chuckle.
"So many? How long was I sleeping?"
"Well, it has been a few days. Well, exactly it has been a whole week."
"Woah, really? Doesn't feel like I did, I feel like I want to sleep for that long now." She says as she sluggishly rubs her eyes, and then lightly pats her cheeks to awakening herself more.
"I getcha, I feel the same way after me and you mom would-"
Whatever he was going to say, her mother would cut him off with a stiff elbow in the stomach. One hit and he falls over onto the ground to hug his stomach in pain. Yasuline would only be more confused. As if knowing that she had slept for a whole week was bad enough to strain her mind.
As she gets out of bed, she would find herself in one of her comfortable one-pieces. From the fragile memories, she remembered that she was wearing the outfit that the White Reaper had gifted her.
Her mother notices her eyes searching for something.
"Lose something, dear?"
"Umm, not really, just that I remembered that I was wearing different clothes."
"Oh, that strange outfit. It was pretty dirty, so we went to get it cleaned up and fixed. We had it stored since you were still sleeping."
"Oh, okay. Umm, I think I had other things with me."
"Like that sword of yours?" Her father returned to the conversation as he finally recovered from the surprise blow.
"Oh, umm yeah."
"Yeah, it's with your outfit too. It was funny to see it again, I nearly forgot about it."
"Huh, you know about it, Dad?" She doesn't hide her shock to such a revelation. She wondered if he also knew about where it came from.
"Of course I do. I'm an adventurer, after all!" He says, sounding somewhat offended by such a question.
A knock on the door disrupts their conversation. Upon given permission, one of the castle guards enters. "Your majesty, all of the nobles have arrived and begun assembling in the makeshift meeting room."
"Ah, good. And perfect timing too."
"Wait, the nobles are here?"
"Yes, we need to take to discuss future planning and everything considered what just happened to the castle and us."
"Yasu, since you're up, you should join the conversation. I'm sure this time you'll enjoy it. I promise!"
"Well, I guess. It sounds relevant enough for me to pay attention too." She would say with hesitation, but after thinking it over, the meeting piqued her interest. She starts to head into her closet to fetch one of the dresses in there, even feeling fine enough to wear one of the more uncomfortable ones that her mother adored a lot.
Her mother grabs her shoulder and shakes her head. "You can wear that, it's fine for now."
"Really? Thought you didn't like it."
"I wouldn't say that, but today is a special day." She would say with a knowing smile. Her father shared the same smile as his wife.
She hated it when they did that, but it was too obvious, but, she got to keep her dress on, so she would leave them as-is and leaves her room with them right behind her, each holding onto her shoulder.
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Yasuline never felt so relieved and happy at the same time in a while. The three of them walking down together. It had been a while, but it felt like an eternity since. Thinking back, it likely had to do with all the events that happened the past few days that have made the peaceful days so far into the horizon.
Nearly getting killed the first time, meeting the White Reaper, watching him protect her from assassins. Escaping to the city, and going on an underground adventure with a new friend. Proving herself to be an adventurer and fighting off a group of demones from taking over the castle.
So many things in so little time. But it was all such fun in the end. Maybe, once she feels like it, she can retell it to her parents, the same way they shared their stories to her.
Should she write a book? She had thought. But then something took her out of her mind as the first signs of wear began to be in her sights.
Large slashes on the floor and wall were being left alone as the workers were more concerned with withdrawing the royal portraits that need to be checked for damages and relocated.
"Thankfully, none of them so far has been ruined." King Suko says as he looks at his painting and then the others. All being taken down.
"Yeah, that is pretty lucky," Yasuline commented quietly. Replaying the battle between the White Reaper and Caliber in her head. Mainly, at the moment of where the scars were made.
As they continue to walk down the hall. Yasuline would see a fair familiar face passing by. Just looking at them, made her vision flash at the empty expressions they once had when they were under the control of Apophis.
"Princess Yasuline, it is so good to see you awake once more. You almost had me worried that you would be missing out on all the hard work we have been doing." Elise says in her usual elegant tone. Holding in her hands a large tub of water. She barely looked to be struggling, having it in her hands. The sisters, Cassie and Clair, would be standing behind her. Each of them holding a tower of towels that nearly covered their faces. Mostly their smiles as they get a small break. They take the chance to reward their eyes on the castle guards who showing off their physique by moving large debris around.
"And what fine work you all have been doing. I should plan out a celebration for you all later on once the castle has been rebuilt." Her father would say as he looks about around a bit.
"You are much too kind to us, your majesty. Anyways, stop staring girls, and let's keep going." She would order with a stern look on her face as she eyes forward and begins to walk forward with such authority that Yasuline felt it strong enough that she straightened up her back as she walks past her. The sisters would smile happily and nod at the royal family as they also pass by.
"Wait for me!" A voice shouted out in the hall. Looking forward, Yasuline could see Jessie, the new maid of the castle, was having trouble with her tower of towels. They were all jumbled one on top of another to keep them in her hands. Her tower was also high to the point that it covered her face and made it difficult for her to see what was in the way. Her father seemed to know of this and lightly pulled his wife and daughter out of the way of the bumbling maid as she zig-zag left and right of the hall, to keep the balance of the tower in one piece.
"Heh, having her around sure makes things lively." Her mother would comment as she starts to lead the three to continue with their walk around.
The library would be up next to their left. Yasuline could see there were many of the hired hands around the wall and doorframe of the room. Or they would if they hadn't changed it into a large hole.
"Thankfully, only the damage was done to the door and the front wall. Doesn't seem like the books were touched. So that's a good sign." Her mother would say as each of them stick their heads in to see how it all was. As she has said, the library was barely touched from all the chaos from the battles and the number of castle workers that were under Apophis' control.
Her mother would take the opportunity to look through her collection of books as her father would spend the time to idle with the hired hand. Yasuline would take the break as intended as she walks over to one of the lounge chairs and sits back, leaning herself against it. She wasn't just joking about the idea of sleeping for another week. She still felt drained from whatever had happened to her. Although it was still a bit hazy, she felt something had happened just before she passed out and slept for so long. She'll likely have to try to get the White Reaper to explain it, in his odd ways to translate, such as impressions and simple writing. Thinking of seeing him again, later on, made her somewhat relaxed and she was nearly getting back to sleep until someone shouted her and woke her up.
"Now then, enough dilly-dally. Time for us to head to the meeting room." King Suko would shout with Caliber standing next to him.
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The meeting room that the roundtable will be using was once a guest room reserved for the more high-quality guests. It had enough room for many people to be in. Most of the furniture was gone in replace for the infamous round table that her father uses to discuss various things with the nobles of his kingdom.
Entering the room, Yasuline would see all the familiar faces that she has seen throughout her life in the castle. Nobles of the east, south, north, and the very few from the west were present. Each of them mingling with one another about their families and lands.
Once her father entered, all eyes went to him.
"Your majesty. It is good to see you unharmed, as well as the Queen and Princess." One of the nobles stated for the rest of them, the others nod in agreement.
"Aye, it is good indeed. Can't say about the castle, but stones and furniture can't replace lives."
"We can only call it a miracle. The godbeasts have shown us mercy."
"Yes, indeed. And it is nice to see that everyone is here for a change. Most wonderful."
"Well, after all the news the kingdom has been hearing that's been going on in the capital, nobody wanted to miss this exciting meeting."
"Aye, I can agree with that. Even I am getting excited to hear what Caliber has to say for us. Even if I partly experienced it, hearing it would get me pumped up as when I was young." King Suko would say excitedly as he goes to take his seat.
Each of the chairs had engraved emblems for the nobles, all with their family crest. The royal family, simply uses the Kingdom's emblem as their own.
Everyone begins following his lead and they all take their seats.
"Now, as we wait for Caliber with his report and such, let's see how the kingdom has been. With what has been going on, I haven't been getting reports."
"Yes, well, we can start with the east."
"Yes, yes, the east. So far nothing much has changed since the last meeting. Farmers still growing crops, dullbeasts in the area still keeping in their areas and not interfering with the steady increase in villages. The only real issue is a very steady increase in bandit activity."
"Bandits huh, Tis a shame that some people would reduce themselves to that kind of life. Have there been issues in the shelters provided in the cities? South Seatown, Fortress City?" King Suko would say shocked to hear bandits in his kingdom.
"No, no. They are all functioning. From the very few that we captured, we confirmed it to be from Finnoe."
"Augh, Finnoe again, always causing trouble for us."
"Well, we knew better than to not doubt the dark lands would give us trouble but to think that bandits from Finnoe have been migrating to ours. What has Fortress City been doing?"
"As far as I can tell, nothing, and for good reason. No reports of bandits coming through the city have been passed to me. Even sent in an agent of mine to check in on things and everything checks out.
"And what about South Seatown?"
"Well, I didn't send in an agent to see what they have been doing, but there have been no reports of bandits at South Seatown either."
"So am I to believe that these bandits just appeared out of nowhere?"
"We just don't have enough information about them, they refuse to speak of where they came from."
"How many cases of bandits attacking our people have been brought up?"
"We counted them all before you got here, we have about 7 of them."
"Huh, fairly scarce. We could just send a small bad of knights out to patrol the kingdom. One for each side of the kingdom."
"That would be wise, your majesty."
"Right, anything else?"
"More like a concern than something to report. Adventure Guilds have been reporting missing adventurers."
"Really!?" Both Suko and Yasuline say, slightly leaning into their seats after hearing such a thing.
"Yes, But from the numbers that given out, it doesn't seem to be the case, but it was still something that the guilds have been concerned enough to get me to bring it up."
"Hmm, we should launch a full investigation on this manner, those are my brother in arms after all."
"Your majesty, that might be too extreme as of now. We don't even know where to look."
"Well, isn't that what the investigation is for?"
The nobles talk among themselves about the decision. The only ones that seem to be on board with investigating the missing adventurers were both the King and Yasuline herself.
As the talking continued, the doors to the meeting room opens, and Caliber, wearing his typical shining armor enters the room. His white cape flowing behind him, giving him a good impression among the nobles. As she recalls they are all attempting to bring him into their family by getting him to marry one of their daughters.
"Ah, Captain Caliber. Fashionably late as always, I see."
"Ah yes, sorry. I had to make some changes to my report with some eyewitnesses that I discovered from the guards who were scouting in the capital."
"Oh, so we should be expecting a complete story here?"
"Yes, I have the most confidence in that my report is the full story that had happened the night when the castle was attacked."
"Well, don't keep us in suspense here, Caliber, inform us!." Suko would say as like always, he had forgotten about the situation with the adventurers.
"I plan to, but I should first inform the nobles here what has happened well before the attack."
"Yes, please do, we have only gained what little knowledge we have from rumors along."
"Well then, I should begin."
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"It began on the day that the King was about to give the speech for the anniversary of the Kingdom. Precisely, the moment that the White Reaper had dared to attack our beloved king and princess. Only by the miracles of the godbeasts did the arrow miss. We immediately had the guards and knights dispatched to search for him and apprehend the murderous criminal, but he evaded us. To ensure he doesn't get the chance, I had the castle on strict lockdown."
"Oh, I see. Should have known the shutdown was your idea, captain. Brilliant as always.
"Was the sudden pause in our intelligence system also needed?"
"Yes, the efforts of how the White Reaper works is still a mystery to everyone, we have no way for us to know exactly how he managed to infiltrate the city's defenses and where to aim his arrow."
"Ah, I see. So you believe that the White Reaper used our own intelligence "
"Yes."
"Do you think he has a spy among us? Is that how he works?"
"No, I would like to believe that the good people of Atlas aren't so low enough that they would assist the White Reaper, especially in assassinating the King."
"Yes, the world would be a lot darker if we had people like that." The nobles nod in agreement with such a thing.
Yasuline had to bite her tongue from speaking up for him. She knew the world had such a distaste of the White Reaper. Even believing that she was the only one who completely trusted him. She wasn't as sure with Ann. But she felt a change in her when they departed.
"So then, I'm guessing all this time that nothing has happened since the lockdown began? We haven't exactly heard anything since and only now we hear he was spotted again."
"No, the White Reaper is also a symbol of destruction and doom. And he showed that the night of the speech."
"Oh? Did something else happened?" The nobles ask, looking over to the royal family to check if they missed anything that would indicate that something else happened.
"Something did happen, but it is the strangest of all events that occurred here. I came across some members of the Hellfire Gang."
The room was filled with gasps from the nobles. Yasuline's mother would cover her mouth in shock, while her father crosses his arms. It was the reassurance that she needed of how big of a threat they were. She sure was thankful to have the White Reaper at her side when she had to face them.
"The Hellfire Gang? Are you sure, Captain?"
"No doubt in my mind."
"But what could the Demones want to do with Lumines? Are they after the King as well? Are they working with the White Reaper!?" The nobles' minds all scatter to more and more to the worst possible scenario of what this news could be foretelling for them all.
"So far, I have not gained anything to prove such a thing. But it could be that the White Reaper brought them back from the brink of extinction."
"He--" She lightly slaps her hands down on her knees, but she remembers where she was and holds back her tongue. Seemed that only her mother had caught her actions, as the others were too preoccupied with listening in to what Caliber had to say.
"With the knowledge of the Hellfire Gang being in the capital, I tried to get as much information about them as possible. Seems that some people have been seeing groups of hooded figures entering the Lumines Labyrinth at night."
"The Lumines Labyrinth? Really? They would dare use that place for whatever scheme they have in stored in their sick minds?"
"Well, I couldn't afford to go down on my own to investigate the matter. So I had to hire some adventurers from the guild to investigate for me."
"You mean, that was the reason you asked me about the entrances to the labyrinth?" The King asks, sounding a bit offended.
"Umm, of course, I did. What other reason would I be asking?"
"Well, I thought you had finally seen the glory of being an adventurer and anting to go explore it yourself." None of the others would be able to tell through the impressive beard he had, but both her mother and she could see the disappointment he had in this revelation.
Her father has tried to turn Caliber into an adventurer for as long as he met him. He believed that he would be one of the best ones in the world after he retired. Something that Yasuline had always hoped to have been the one to do herself if given the chance.
"A-anyways, with the adventurers going in the labyrinth, I was sad to hear that they had never returned."
"Hmm, more adventurers that disappeared." One of the nobles commented. This piqued Caliber's curiosity and they inform them of the news from the guild.
"I see, that is probably why they took two days to find a group of adventurers to take the quest."
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"But that could just be on the labyrinth itself, no? Even our king had trouble down there."
"Yes, I could vouch on that." He would say. His eyes looking into the air, Yasuline could tell that he was reliving a memory. He gets like that whenever she asked her a question about his adventures.
"Back to the matter at hand, when I heard that the adventurers were missing, I suspected even more that the adventurers have been taken out by the Hellfire Gang. I planned to organize a squad of the knights to head into the labyrinth."
"So it is an adventure!" King Suko says excitedly. Caliber simply responds with a neutral stare at him. Doesn't faze her father's cheery face at all.
"Now, then. About that squad of yours. What did you find in the Labyrinth?"
"I found the Hellfire Gang. Scattered about. With the king's directions, we arrived at the base of the labyrinth. We found more of them there, but they have suffered from the wrath of the labyrinth.
"We managed to round up the other Hellfire Members that were down in the labyrinth and that was about it."
He pauses before he continues. Hesitating like her father does during his stories.
"When me and my squad, as you call it, journeyed our way back up, though it took much of our time since we had to do some extermination on some dire rats."
"You better give me the details later, but for now we should keep going with the report."
"Right, of course."
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Near the gate of the castle walls, two guards stand at their posts as usual. After shifting positions with many of their comrades, they were back to their normal routines. Talking to the locals and sharing gossips. Even busier than ever what with all the stories they tell or have to learn.
Something different happened today. And that difference was coming their way right now. It took a moment for the two guards and the bystanders to wonder what could be going on. Then remembering what happened, the open the gates and allowed the two to enter.
"Were those two?"
"The ones who once fought the White Reaper."
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Back at the table, The nobles would rustle in their seats as they continued to listen to Caliber's words on his handling of the whole lockdown. Prompting for Yasuline to do the same and attempt to look professional. Unlike her father who was lounging in her seat, as much as her mother tried to fix it.
"Now then, Caliber. What happened to when you returned to the castle?"
"Ah, yes. This'll be the more interesting part of my report as even the king is part of it but doesn't remember."
"Yup, the last thing I remember that I was doing was going to check on Yasuline."
"And... I was asleep." Yasuline added, shifting her eyes about to check if anyone was suspecting of her. Only her mother was.
"And the queen herself was at the quarters for the day." Caliber answers for her. She nods in approval, who was now staring at Yasuline like a hawk. She could feel the eyes on her even when she looks away. 'Scary! Mom only gets like this when I have a big secret. Like I tried to keep a bird as a pet!'
"Back when I returned to the castle, things were different. For some reason, I didn't find anyone in the castle. I had my squad looking around for any of the workers of the castle such as the maids and stationed guards."
"How frightening. They all disappeared?" The nobles asked.
"Yes, of course, they didn't disappear for long. We would eventually found them, but they ended up being traitors to the kingdom. At first, I believed that. But their behavior was strange. Too strange to simply commute with. With the castle compromised, I sent the squad over to collect the royal family."
"The queen was secured. However, the King and princess were missing. So we all split up in search of them."
"That was when I encountered...him again."
"Him?"
"The White Reaper."
Everyone but Yasuline gasped. Finally, her mother's staring was done.
"Yes, and he had princess Yasuline with him."
The shock to the revelation got even higher.
Her mother jumped in her seat, the color of her face drained. Likely seeing a dramatic image of the scene of Yasuline with the White Reaper. Her father was more anger than fear. His fists clenched tightly against his clothes. He looked ready to punch someone out and then some.
It took some time for the room to finally calm down and Caliber was ready to resume his tale. He briefs them of his intense battle with him. Each movement he dies, eh replicates for them. He looked to be enjoying how much everyone was interested in his battle. Something he always denies when Yasuline calls him out of it. However, as he goes on with the description of the battle, she would notice how he would often stretch the truth on certain points. Mostly making the White Reaper much more malicious. Such as using Yasuline as a human shield, and stating how she was under his control with a spell or curse.
Yasuline wanted to rebut this, but then she would have to confess about everything else. She wonders if the time to reveal everything that she did with the White Reaper was now. She could somehow prove his innocence in one fell swoop. But somewhere in her mind and heart, she had a doubt. Doubt that she could convince them all. Doubt that she would be listened to. Doubt that they would even believe her.
Caliber ends his summary of his battle with the White Reaper rather anti-climatic but fitting. After that, everything he speaks about was not at all what had happened. Her face only showed confusion as she listened to his stitched tale of what happened.
"The White Reaper used his shifty tactics to perform a sneak attack and immobilized me. I was unable to defeat him and save the princess."
"...And yet, we still have princess Yasuline here among us. Truly, the miracle that she persists to protect her."
"What about the rest of your squad?"
"They located the Queen and acted as her royal guard to ensure no other person could harm her."
"But all the castle workers were all secured in the library. Who else was there as a threat?" Yasuline finally stepped into the conversation.
"Yes, some of the Hellfire Gang members from the labyrinth had reached the castle and attempted to look for the royal family."
He would continue. "Everything else has been a blur as I wasn't available at the time, but from what I could gather from the eyewitnesses from the capital and what was at the throne room, there was a climactic battle with one of the members of the Hellfire gang and the White Reaper himself."
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"It must have been quite the battle. Who was combatting the enemies if you were down?"
"I'll let the reveal of their identity near the end, that way you would believe every word I say now. Anyways from what we could gather, the enemies that were the most threatening were the White Reaper and a powerful member of the Hellfire Gang. Some report seeing a large serpent-like being in the castle."
"Was it a summon?"
"There was no summoning circle or any traces of dimension magick that would suggest a summoning occurred. We can pin this on one of the Hellfire members being able to transform into a giant dullbeast or something."
"Incredible, the person who managed to defeat such a thing AND with the White Reaper. They must be even more valiant than you, Captain."
"I would be forced to agree with you all with that. I cannot say I could handle two enemies like those at the same time and still have my life."
"Well, that answers my other question."
"About if the person lived through the battle? Yes, they have. So that makes about three individuals who have faced the White Reaper and lived to tell the tale."
"The process of having people who are capable of handling the menace is growing. Good. We could have a full party soon."
"Not soon enough. But with this person, we might have a good chance of finally taking him down. In the battle, it looked like the individual has shown to have great power. Traces of Light magick have covered the throne room and tons of debris."
"Impressive. Not many people use Light Magick."
"Yes, anyways with whatever skill they have used to protect themselves with, they were able to repeal both enemies from the scene. We searched the castle and the capital and have found no trace of either of them. We have concluded that both have left the capital for the time to recover."
"How do you know both were hurt from it?"
"Blood was found. And lots of it to form a trail out of the castle. But nobody was found, so."
"Ah, excellent work."
"Not enough to find the White Reaper, but for now, I conclude we have seen the last of him. Least for a good while."
"Yes, now he is unpredictable. He has never failed an assassination before."
"The Silverclaw tribe, have they send word about this situation?"
"No, but I expect a message from them soon enough."
"Is that all you needed to report?"
"Hmm, aside from me gaining consciousness, the queen growing tired of waiting and actively searching the castle for her family. We would then find both the king and the princess in the throne room."
"So, our mysterious savior has saved both our current and future ruler. Sounds like they have already earned themselves the Champion class."
"I believe they would if they were able to. But they have a more important role to consider, so they would have to decline."
"If you're done dancing around the subject, perhaps telling us all who this person is could forward this meeting?"
"Ah right, well the person I believe to have defeated the White Reaper is-"
"Yasuline" Her father finished his sentence, giving off a proud smile. He extends his hand onto her shoulder and lightly shakes her as she appears shocked that they said her name.
"Wait, Princess Yasuline fought off the White Reaper herself?" The nobles asked, completely in disbelief, and were staring at her now."
"Yes, we both agree that the one who fought him off was the princess herself." Caliber continued.
"But, how can that be? She doesn't even have training in combat or anything to the likes of your level."
"We believe it was another miracle that saved her from the White Reaper. Nonetheless, she still survived the wrath of him."
"That's my girl." Her father would continue and her mother goes around the table to hug her. Mixed emotion of fear and proudness. Either way, her mother was squeezing her tightly. It kinda hurt.
"So how exactly was she able to thwart the White Reaper?"
"With my trusty Runeblade Prototype!" Her father would excitedly answer. He would then reach under his cape and pulls out the runeblade that Yasuline had obtained from the Labyrinth.
"What is that?" Everyone had said. Except for Yasuline herself. She had a different question. Hesitant to ask,
"This is a prototype weapon from the Drago civilization. It is a sword-tyle weapon that allows the wielder to use it like a magick staff. Even have a Skill Series dedicated to it."
"That's quite the impressive weapon. Is that what she used to defeat the enemies?"
"It looks used, so I would have to say yes."
"I don't even remember knowing how to use it."
"She likely activated it during her struggle. What about the Blast of Light?"
"Yeah, I don't know how I did that either."
"She doesn't sound like she is confident about being the one who defeated the White Reaper.
"Well, neither I nor Caliber was able to combat him, the only conclusion we have is my daughter."
They then went silent again. They were all slowly accepting the fact that the sheltered princess of the kingdom of Lumines was able to fight off the world's enemy, the White Reaper.
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"I suppose that covers my entire report," Caliber says as he ponders for any information he has not spoken up about.
"Great! Then it is my turn." King Suko would say as he starts to walk over to pull his chair from the table and pushes it against the wall.
"Your turn, your majesty?" Both Caliber and the nobles looked over to him and asked.
"Yes, I have some news to discuss." He would say, taking a seat and sitting upon it as if it was his throne. Yasuline's mother would imitate his actions to sit next to her. When Yasuline starts to do the same, her father would extend his hand out to halt her.
"Princess Yasuline, would you stand before me?" He would say in his serious tone. It sent chills down her spine. Now that they were looking at one another as she approached him, she could see that his eyes were a bit narrow than before. His joyful demeanor was gone and he looked like a true king, one with wisdom and confidence behind his eyes.
Both Caliber and the nobles have stood from their seats and stood on the other end of the wall. Even quietly moving the table out of the wall to make as much space for them all as possible.
Yasuline nervously stood in between her parents. She lightly grips the ends of her white dress. Her father continued with that kingly tone and appearance, despite this. "Princess Yasuline." He says.
"Umm, yes, dad, oh I mean, your majesty." She says, unsure really how to refer to him like this. She had never had to face him in this way, but she usually sees everyone show him great respect when he does it to them.
"You have done this kingdom a great service. Not only have you saved the ruler from certain death, But you fought against the dreaded White Reaper and lived to tell the tale to us all."
"Well, not really, but thank you."
He nods and continues. "That is why I must rely on your skills yet again. With someone as capable as you in it, I will be able to breathe easier in the night."
"Oh, what do you want me to do?" She asks.
"I need you to go on a quest for me."
Her eyes widen. "What did you say?" She wasn't the only one. Nearly everyone but the King and Queen were completely shocked.
"Did I mumble? I said I need you to go on a quest for me." He repeats.
"B-but, a quest, requires me to go out of the city no? Or are you just messing with me and it;'s something inside the castle only?"
"It is no joke. I need you to go out to Finnoe and deliver a message to Victor for me," He would explain to her.
"To Finnoe!?" Caliber would blurt out. He was not briefed on this decision. This shocks Yasuline even more, as most of the time, her parents would rely on him giving his opinions on what to do. And they always do it when discussing what to do with Yasuline. Not this time, it seems.
"Yes, all the way there."
"But Finnoe is filled with shadowbeasts and demi-humans. It's the most dangerous land in all of Atlas."
"Not if she takes a boat from South Seatown. Besides, she won't be going alone."
With perfect timing, knocking on the door happened. Caliber hesitated as he looks back at the king and then at the door. One of the guards who were standing outside this entire time would open the door for them and arrives two strange individuals.
One of them was quite a tall man, with glossy black hair that lightly poked in various directions, but looked to be combed to the back mostly. He had bright red eyes that invite anyone to look, and a devilish smile that just teases you for something naughty. Most of his attire was black and looked to be made of leather. But it looked more like for the style rather than armor. On his back was a wide sword that Yasuline recognizes as a claymore. The handle and guard of the weapon were bleached bone-white. Resembled way too much of real bones to be considered a coincidence.
The other person next to them was very young, looked to be a child no doubt. His big blue eyes told you he was innocent of anything you suspect him of. His hair looked to be extremely healthy and clean as it droops about the top of his head in the shape of a bowl, with the exception to a few long strands of hair that were made into a tiny ponytail. The rest of his body was hiding behind a cloak of solid blue. With the few stains of something near just under his chin. Behind him rattled a strange staff that Yasuline had never seen before in her life. And she had seen most magick-users from spellcasters, magicians, to sorcerers before.
The two stand next to Yasuline in front of the King and Queen and bow before them both. Only the tall dark one spoke up, the other just giggled childishly as he nibbles upon some candy he was holding in his small hands.
"King Suko and Queen Noria. A Pleasure to meet you both." He would say in a deep voice.
"Ah, it is good to finally meet you. I heard good things about you and your partner there."
"Ah, brother. Just want to clarify. I'm perfectly available for any woman that wishes to know me more." He would say and lightly waves his hand as if some woman were standing near him that he was gesturing to.
"Right, well, then as we discussed before, I will be using the power of my crown to request to you a quest."
'He is going on a quest too? Is he an adventurer? I feel like I have seen him, but he wasn't at the eating place me and the White Reaper went to.'
"No problem, Adventure King. Anything you ask, I am happy to oblige. As long as you pay, we are good to go."
"Wait, what did he call you?" Yasuline asks immediately after he finishes talking.
"Oh, Adventure King? It is one of my nicknames for when I was adventuring. Most people know me by that name." He would explain it to her. His serious facade faded back to his cheerful one, but then it quickly returned as he gets back to the matter at hand.
Yasuline would stop paying attention to the conversation as she reflects such a revelation. 'Oh, that makes so much sense! No wonder I didn't know about the Adventure King. Wish he had told me that before, UGH, how embarrassing to not even know that. I better ask him more about things. Oh, wait. I'm leaving soon.'
"Yasuline?"
Hearing her name snaps her out of her thoughts and she straightens up her posture. "Yes!"
"You will be leaving immediately if possible, the sooner it can be done, the better. But you are also a novice, so don't rush." Her father informs her. Yasuline would nod with each word, taking in everything into heart.
"Now then, you should go to your room and prepare everything you need. We'll say our farewells soon." He would say with a nod. As he rose from his seat, the others bowed their head and the meeting was finally over.
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Yasuline returns to her room. Most of her clothes had put into storage. Likely to ensure none of them would be ruined when she returns from her quest. On the bed, there was the adventuring outfit that the White Reaper bought her. But now it had a few more touches to her eyes, added to it all. And she adored each thing. She puts it on and goes to the mirror to check it.
Around her neck was a red scarf. She recalled this scarf was something that her mother actually made for her, for her birthday. She planned to wear it for the weekend, but she often cheats and wears it about to feel the length of it flow behind her. She and her mother know she likes it as it makes her feel closer to being an adventurer.
The next new accessory was the long cloth behind her back that hung at the back of her legs. She instantly recognized it as her father's old cape that he wore when he was out adventuring. She knows it as she often takes it from his chambers and wears it herself. It looks to be customed into being a waist cape as it doesn't droop down as much as it was before when it was hanging off her shoulders.
"Someone sure loves their new outfit." Someone had spoken up by the door, finally taking her attention to how the scarf and waist cape looked on her. She turns to see Merry carrying a unique detailed bag in her arms. With a smile, she would step inside to set the bag down on a table near where Yasuline stood. She didn't really say anything but kept watching Merry.
Merry would take notice of the silence and looks at her with slight confusion. "Something wrong?"
"N-no, it's just. It feels surreal to be doing this. And no, I don't have to take this off and put on an uncomfortable dress."
"Heh, I know what you mean. I'm sure it'll be weird for everyone in the castle to not see you around."
"Yeah, it does seem to fast to be happening. But my dad said it was an important quest."
"That is correct."
Another maid would knock on the door frame and enter. In her hands was the runeblade that her father had before.
"Oh right." Yasuline would say as she reaches for it and takes it into her hand. She was surprised to see the blade was shimmering like new. Someone polished it and cleaned it well. No signs of wear or usage could be found. She connects the scabbard to her belt and tucks the sword back in while watching herself. She unconsciously lets out a small exciting squeal as she does.
"Yes, you definitely look the part for an adventurer." Merry would comment. Only hearing such a thing excited her more.
"Oh right, what's in the bag?" Yasuline would say after she had had her fill with admiring herself.
"Well, it would be the basic necessities that you'll likely need for your adventure."
"Oh, like potions and stuff?"
"No no. Though you should definitely get some when you pass by the market. But this here will have some more clothes that you might need to change into."
"Oh really. That's good to know. Anything else?"
"Well, the basic bathing tools are there too, in case you come across some clean water to clean yourself with."
"Oh, good thinking. I'll definitely need some of that. Don't want to smell bad, especially with I'm with two boys."
"Especially when you are with boys. Who knows? Sparks could fly and such things. Lucky you to have such a handsome looking man to be your traveling partner. The godbeasts know that I would love to."
"You are starting to sound like the sisters," Yasuline says as she lightly tugs the back from the bed and puts it over her shoulder. The two laugh a bit at that remark, but Merry was also blushing. Hiding the fact that she did mean what she said about the strange man the princess would be traveling with.
"It'll be lonely without you." Merry would say quietly. Not really looking at Yasuline. She would just stare out at the balcony glass door. Yasuline didn't really know what to say to that. She knew Merry when they were young. Oftentimes saying that they could be sisters in another lifetime. She would step up behind Merry and hugs her.
"Hey, It'll be fine. Besides, I'll need you here so you can go watch my parents and keep them out of trouble."
"True, who knows how your dad will be with you gone."
"Yeah, he'll completely freak when I outshine him in adventures and soon, people will call me the Adventure Princess."
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Yasuline and Merry would spend some time going through their memories with one another. A quick knock on the door frame calls for their attention. It was Elise.
"Princess Yasuline, you're keeping your party members waiting."
"Party members?" Yasuline asked, confused by the term.
"Yes, when you are in a group of adventures, they are often called parties. So, best to learn the terms now before you embarrass yourself." She says just before she leaves.
Yasuline adds a few more items from her room into the bag and closes the door behind her. He hangs onto the doorknob for a moment and let's go. As she walks down the halls, she takes another look of the hall and parts of the hallways that weren't damaged from the battles.
Knowing she would not see this place again for a long time, every little detail was now immeasurably important to her. Even the small dent she caused and hid behind one of the tables. She goes and checks to see it was there and sure enough, it was.
Smiling, she lightly touches it and continues to go down the hall, she could feel her sword bopping against her hip, the way her waist cape and scarf would lightly flow behind her. Some of the guards and maids would look at her, but she didn't mind it. To them now, she looked like a true adventurer.
At the main hall of the castle, she would see that her parents and the two boys that she would be traveling with waiting for her.
"There she is." Her father would state, back to his usual happy self. Her mother was a little less quiet but lightly wipes her eyes and gently waves hello to her daughter. Yasuline with a smile jumps right in front of them with a "Ta-Da!"
"Very nice. No idea where you found that outfit, but it sure suits you incredibly." Her father would comment to her as he lightly pats her head, messing with her green ribbon a bit. Her mother fixes it up to her and even straightens her hair a bit, no matter how futile it was.
"My little girl looks like the true adventurer she was born to be. I'm so proud of you." She would say, a single tear appearing.
"Geez, mom, no need to get so emotional. I'll be writing to you as much as I can."
"You better. Fail to, and I'll send Caliber to hunt you down and drag you back to your room."
"Yeah, please don't." She says, thinking of the only other time she actually did.
Queen Noria would smile at her and gives her a kiss on the forehead.
The large front doors of the castle begin to open up. Yasuline looks over in awe. She was always impressed with just how big and thick the doors were. It took two men on each door to open them. Looking outside, she would see that the gates at the walls were also opening up. People waved about into the interior. Yasu waves back, along with the King and Queen.
"I don't think they're waving at you, kid." The man in the dark clothes whispered to her. Confused she looked at the crowd again and noticed where their eyes were focusing on. It was toward her father and mother.
Her mother would notice the confusion and explained it. "Caliber went to inform the public about what happened and let them know that your father and I are safe from the White Reaper.
"We specifically left out your involvement and that you are about to leave to go on an adventure. If people knew about you, they would be bothering you with gifts for favoritism and the matter. Happened to me and I learned to keep it all hush hush until I couldn't hide it."
"Oh, right." She says and then looks back to the crowd. The man in dark clothes and the child in the blue robe would begin to walk down. Yasuline hesitates for a bit and then starts to follow them behind. She tightly holds onto the strap of her bag and the handle of your sword.
"Yasuline, don't hold your sword unless you're worried about your safety. Most take it as a threat." Her father called out.
"Be sure to remember what I taught you about flowers. In case you need to heal yourself! Green means health! Red means energized!" Her mother also yelled out some advice. Yasuline would only nervously smile and nod at them as she continued to walk forward.
The sunlight beamed down when she hit the stone path that connects the front door to the gate. Each clank of her boots against them felt like they were part of her own heartbeats.
The doors to the gates were still opened, but she expected them to close and hear her father laugh behind her as a form of prank. Then, she finally stepped in the frame of the gate. People that were crowding in front of her were still preoccupied with seeing the king and the queen. Looking into the crowd, she would see a hand sticking out to her. Thinking it was the man in dark clothes, she would reach for it. They would pull her into the crowd and basically acts like a shield to push people to the side so she could get through them all.
Once the two finally made it behind the crowd, Yasuline pants a bit as she had to hold her breath. The feeling of suffocating was messing with her mind.
"Thanks for that. That's a lot of people together."
"Thank nothing of it, Yasu." They replied
'Yasu?' Nobody calls me that, except...
She turns her head up. She looks and sees Ann, smiling down at her.
"Ann!" Yasuline says happily.
"Where you been, was waiting for you for days now." Ann would complain. Putting her hands on her hips, taking a stance like her mother.
"I- I was resting apparently. Least that is what my mom and dad said."
"Really? Well, you're here just on time to say goodbye. I was about to leave soon."
"Leave? Where are you going?"
"I'm going to Fortress Town for a bit. Gonna invest some of my new riches to refurbish my grandparents' place."
"And then after that?"
"Who knows. Retire and whatever I want."
"That sounds great. I'm traveling too. Want to come with me?" Yasuline asked, excited in having another party member that she could talk to and be familiar with.
"Sorry, I already have my own carriage. Best horses in the capital. Should be there in less than two days. What about you? Does your group need a ride?"
"Nope! We are going to be going the old way." A voice spoke up. Both girls turning to face it. Seeing that it was the man in dark clothes that Yasuline would be traveling. Ann's face immediately flushes red at the sight of him.
"R-really? That's a real shame. I hope you change your mind."
"I wish I could, but I have my rules. But you said you would be over at Fortress City, huh? Maybe we can stop by."
Ann seems to be stunned by such a promise and nods excitedly, lightly biting into her lip.
"Well then, if you excuse me and the princess, we'll be on our way."
"Y-yes. Right, I think I hear the horses impatiently stomping for me. I better go. See you in the future, Yasu." She would say as she was still fixated on looking at the man and only at the last minute did she have to turn around.
"She sure is a real cutie. Might be an inexperienced one." He would mumble to himself.
"What does that mean?" Yasuline asks."
"Nothing you should worry about if you have to ask, Yasu. Come on, we can't keep the boss waiting." He would say and pats her on the head before going on ahead.
"Boss? Yasu?" She repeats as she follows him.
"That's what I said." He would continue to say. Just then, the other one, the child with the blue robes runs to him and hugs him playfully with a giggle.
The three of them would push their way through the road. Yasuline looks around her once again, looking at how the town looks to be normal and at the same time different. Up ahead of them, she could see the main gate of the capital where some guards she actually never met before stood by and watched people come and go. As she passed by, she expected them to stop her and tell her to go back. But they didn't. In fact, they never even made eye contact with her at all. As if she was invisible.
She had finally stepped out of the capital's gate. The environment on the other side of the gate looked so surreal. Endless and endless amounts of lands that stretched further than she could possibly see. There was no wall preventing her to see. Nothing stopping her from just running forward and keep running until her stamina was depleted.
"The boss is waiting for us just up ahead, on the other side small hill." The man in dark clothes would state as he lets out a sigh, breathing in the open air and begins to walk forward again. The small child would lightly skip next to him.
Yasuline would also take in a deep breath. The air tasted so much different. It felt easier to have it flow through her body. She could taste hints of the smell of grass and other floral. 'Is this what freedom tastes like?' She wondered.
"Yasu, hurry up! Even I don't try to test his patience." They called out to her. They were a fair distance away from her. She starts to run over to him. She wonders who could their boss be. As she thought more, she remembered that he referred to a "boss". Nobody spoke about another person being added to the party. Was it someone else she wouldn't know?
She slowed down as she neared the top. Shocked, she sees someone standing with the two party members of hers. She couldn't make them out like the one in dark clothes was tall and his body was in the way.
As she gets closer, she can see that it was none other than the White Reaper himself.
"N-no way." She mutters as she starts to speed up on her walking speed and then pushes the two out of the way to see him.
The White Reaper simply waved at her without uttering a word.
"Where have you been all this time!? You didn't even check up on me?" She says, partly angry and partly happy to see him.
He simply shrugs and looks over at the other two.
"So where are we going to now? Are we really going to Finnoe?" He would ask.
"Hold on. What do you mean? What is going on?" She asks. Getting completely confused as to what it is that was going on.
"Ain't it obvious, we, as a party, are going to do this quest that the king assigned us to." The man in dark clothes would explain.
"Yup! We going to the dark lands!" The small child would add.
"Okay, that's fine and all, but I don't even know you guys. Actually, I don't even know your names. And you think mine is Yasu!"
"That's what your virgin friend called you. Isn't it what your friends called you?"
"I-, well, only she did." She tried to argue more, as if it was something natural to her with him, but couldn't.
"It's a good name." Someone said.
"Yeah, I supposed it is. She agreed. Then she pauses and thinks. 'I don't recognize that voice.'
"Who said that?"
"The boss did." The man in dark clothes replied.
She turns to the White Reaper and she nods.
"Say something again."
He would look at her for a moment and then say. "Something again."
"You CAN talk!." She shouts.
"Of course he can."
"Yasuline, it is pretty rude to shout."
"And you don't call me by that name?"
"Thought you didn't want me to." He would reply
"Well, I don't dislike it. But I don't even know yours."
"Oh, my name is Naxelence Zero Dark."
"Naxelence. How about I call you Naxiro then."
"I was thinking the same thing, Yasuline Mona Lights."
"Well," She then raises her hand up. "My name is Yasu. I look forward to traveling with you."
He reaches out to her hand and lightly shakes it. "Naxiro, here's to your many adventures ahead."
-End of Volume 1: Castle Chronicles-