Kana lay in a bed before me and Arciel. Beside it, Pat sat, his expression sullen. It would’ve shone orange through the single window of the tiny Guild room, were it not for the blizzard raging outside, howling against the sharp walls of the Guild’s citadel.
“Will she be alright?”
I asked.
Arciel shook her head. “That’s hard to judge. She’s in a coma; and she could be comatose for the rest of her life.” Arciel said, laying her hand on Kana’s forehead. “It’s shock-induced, from having her throat ripped out while she was conscious. There's nothing healing magic can do to help the psyche.”
I looked over the former adventurer. “It’s better than being killed…We should be thankful.”
Arciel nodded her head response. “She won’t be going anywhere in this condition, though.”
Me and Arciel sat in silence for a moment over Kana. I sat in thought, thinking over her last moments. Those two adventurers of team Salthith, Marie’anne and Rafael, were both killed. I didn’t know them too well…but to think they really gave their lives fighting a Sidonian just because we, Andestinians, asked them to…It left a sour taste in my mouth. I should be the only one to die for my agenda.
I was hesitant to lob Kana in with their lot. She was always an odd one, but she was above all else reliable. That last battle though…Something was off. She wasn’t nearly as aggressive. She wasn’t covering our backs to the fullest extent. In fact, she was trying to say something to the blue-haired Sidonian, Alisson’s apprentice; right up until she was gutted by her.
I can only wonder what she was trying to get across, but I suppose I’ll never know. I don’t really know much about Kana now that I think about it. Her team perished, somehow, and now she works for Andestine as a merc. She got her blade in some eastern lands, and, well, that’s it.
“Miss Arcielvitzi.”
A Platinum knight gave a knock at the door. Their massive frame ate up any light, much like a wall would, so I didn’t notice the door having been opened.
“The rearguard has arrived. A certain mage would like to have a word with you regarding your deployment status.”
The knight informed.
“Thank you.” Arciel bobbed her head. The knight bowed, and left us. We were quick to walk down the halls down to the larger hub on the first floor. On the way, numerous knights walked past, giving us respectful bows and nods. Their massive figures and their heavy steps were oddly comforting.
It was odd to see knights marked with Andestine insignias walking around the supposedly neutral Guild citadel. Well, it was neutral. All those beasts that attacked in turn with the Sidonians – That was most likely orchestrated beforehand, no way it was a coincidence. They led a horde of ravaging beasts into a civilian center.
My fist tightened.
And now the residents of Pūshkinskaya have been herded into the citadel and packed together like rats. They looked like refugees from a warzone, in their own damn city. I saw for myself their dead stares as they sat against the walls under torn fabric, some with still open wounds. On the first floor of the Guild Citadel, what was once the hub of the adventurers was now the holding pen of a great deal of residents seeking shelter. Andestine mages fluttered from families and citizens, using healing spells; and Knights sat near others, applying first aid to those with less serious injuries.
With Andestine helping the people so much, it’s almost a guarantee they’ll see us in a favorable light. This was probably on purpose on Freudlin’s part. He’s a got a good heart, but also a good mind. That I can respect.
Among the Andestinians fluttering to and fro alongside guild personal and adventurers, I saw a pair of familiar faces.
“Clarke!” Arciel was first shout.
Near the entrance to the hub, a new group of Andestinians had arrived – The rearguard of the newly reinforced 153rd. Among a couple dozen more knights and battlemages, were Clarke and Epsilon, shaking off snow along with the rest of the rearguard.
Clarke peered up at us, and contrary to my expectations, didn’t darken his expression when he saw Arciel.
“Long time no see yes?”
He remarked, shaking off his cloak of snow before Arciel crashed into him, giving him a large hug. He was at first surprised, but slowly reciprocated her hug with a smile. Arciel, after a moment of silence, backed away quickly, and cleared her throat.
I thought at first that the two of them looked like two arguing grandparents, but now I see that they’re more like a father and daughter pair. Again, what’s up with Arciel’s blood-family?
I looked over to Epsilon. Her once light, stripped down armor was now considerably more decked out for a colder environment, but was still lighter than mine.
It might just be me, but she really does look like a Greek goddess. Either she put in a word with whoever made her armor, or whoever her armorer is knows what’s up.
I raised a hand up at her.
“Yo.”
She nodded. That’s all the welcoming us two realists needed. The memories of when I first got here shot through my head all of sudden. It feels so long ago.
“What are you two doing here?”
Arciel asked.
Clarke closed his eyes. “Unfortunately we’re not here for a cup of tea and biscuits.”
“You’re being attached to the 153rd as well?”
“Mm…” Clarke seemed uncomfortable. “…That is partly the truth. Let us speak in a more private setting out of the ear of the common folk, yes?”
Clarke said, eyeing the surrounding squalid populace within the hub.
As we started down the hub, I was quick to inform Clarke and Epsilon about what happened to Pūshkinskaya; About how Alisson led a horde of beasts to slaughter civilians. Clarke nodded, and looked over the people now with a hint of pity.
“We still lost them in the end though…” Arciel added to my story. “This blizzard makes it impossible for us to fly or ride anywhere to search for them.”
Clarke put a bony hand to his chin. “They have a god somewhere on their side despite their secular nature it seems…”
He mused.
After a few minutes of walking, we reached a particularly empty part of the hall.
“Here is fine.” Clarke said. A large set of windows were in the process of being covered by snow, but they offered still a good view of the front of the citadel.
Arciel looked up to Clarke.
“I’ll be frank…” He scratched the top of this bald head. “We were sent here to replace you.” Arciel’s eyes widened. “You and Shepard are being sent back to the homeland, to Re’relihn.”
Arciel looked down with a scowl. “On who’s orders?”
Clarke looked out the window with a frown. “Marked by the entirety of the council, but with the preciseness and promptness of the orders, and of the whole 153rd operation in the first place…If you want my guess…” Clarke put hand to his mouth to shield it from the rest of the hall, “It was probably the head councilman.”
My eyes widened. That’s the guy I want to get in cahoots with. What was his name, Pee-pyo- I don’t know, some rusky name. Weis. That was it. If he’s the one behind this whole operation, that’s the guy that I want to drag Alisson before. The thing is though…I can’t exactly do that if I get recalled.
“Why?” I step forward. “Why the hell are we getting pulled back?”
Clarke put his hands to his temple.
“Arciel’s father most likely called for it. He has a quite a bit of sway, being a Grand Duke and all.”
I looked to Arciel for answers, but all I saw was her staring at the floor, her fist clenched tight around her staff, making it visibly shake.
“If they’re orders…We can’t dispute them…Damnit!”
He struck her staff onto the floor. Despite her exclamation, she didn’t look mad. She looked scared. Terrified, even, like the life had drained out of her bright eyes. I looked to Clarke, and he shook his head.
“…She doesn’t have a particularly good history with her family.”
He muttered some words. A little bit of family trifling, sure, but that doesn’t explain Arciel’s reaction. No daughter should be so terrified of her own father. It’s wrong.
Clarke looked back out the window.
Clarke obviously doesn’t want to elaborate with Arciel being near. “Arciel. Go help the people.”
She looked up to me, surprised. “Wha-”
I put my hands on her shoulders, and turned her down the hall. “Go.”
I couldn’t see her expression, but surprisingly, she started walking without a fuss. I turned to Clarke once she was out of earshot.
“What really happened? What’s up with her?”
Clarke scoffed, and looked down with a smile. “You have sharp ears, for coming off so brutish.”
“I take that as a compliment.”
Clarke sighed, his vision drifting over Arciel, walking further away down the hall. “The truth is, her father has done despicable things to her. She was abducted, flailed, hanged, tortured, the worst things you can think off – That’s why she always wears such large robes, it’s to hide the scars.”
And why she insists on sleeping in a separate room than I.
“Why? What did she do to deserve that?”
Clarke shook his head. “It’s a noble’s problem. She refused an arranged marriage, which along with her wanting to become soldier, probably angered Duke Arcielvitzi.”
“…What?”
I stared at Clarke, dead in the eyes. “…You’re telling me she was abused, for something, for something like that!?”
My fist tightened audibly, and my arms shook with rage.
Clarke nodded. “…That’s what I meant by ‘Noble’s Problem’.”
“…Hell if that classifies as a problem-! That’s a delusion-! That Duke-!”
Clarke stepped toward me, and laid a hand on my shoulder. “I know you’ll be in Re’relihn. But Shepard, don’t do anything drastic. It’ll be a problem for all of us, her more than anyone.” He looked down the hallway, and sure that Arciel was nowhere in sight, looked back to me. “Shepard.” I met his gaze, gritting my teeth. “You’ll be the only one with her in the capitol. Keep her safe, yes?”
I released my tensed hands, and let out a breath of air. “Yes. I will. I’ll make sure nothing happens to her, that I can promise.”
Clarke smiled, and let go of me. “I know that means a lot to someone of your honesty and character. I’m sure she’ll be safe.”
I nodded sternly.
The winds were calming down. The blizzard would be over soon. The temperature in the building was dropping drastically still, and despite the numerous fireplaces, I could still see my own breath in some parts of the citadel. To think that there was not even a trace of snow yesterday, it’s funny how fast nature works. Snowflakes had started to grow on the glass, and a layer of frost had formed around some of the windows that were clearly not sealed for winter.
The Guild probably wasn’t meant to operate during the winter time. But with that attack, with all the refugees, it seems everyone at the Guild is working overtime without extra pay.
“So, how have you been?”
At the end of an empty hall on the higher levels of the citadel, I sat with my back against the wall, along with Epsilon. She’d been completely silent up until now.
Still not saying anything, I continued the small talk, “This is the first that we’ve spoken in private since we were in our room in the Hero’s Chapel…What’s that been…”
“Two hundred seven days.”
Epsilon said like a robot. I stared at her deep blue eyes, a bit stunned.
“…You’ve been counting everyday?”
“Of course.” She looked to me. “I don’t want to be here. Have you forgotten that?”
I looked up to the ceiling. “You’re right. I’m not thinking about going home everyday anymore, not like I used to.”
Epsilon looked to me, a bit surprised. “You want to stay here?”
I shook my head. “No, no. I want to get back to my world of course. That’ll never change. I just haven’t been as committed as you have, I guess. I know it’ll happen at some point, but that point is far away.” I looked to her. “It’s no good for you to be only thinking of getting home. I’ll take a guess, you’ve probably been miserable here these last few months.”
Epsilon frowned, and looked away. “I don’t appreciate oracles.”
“What, scared of somebody else knowing how you feel?”
Epsilon reluctantly nodded.
I sighed, but smiled. “I guess that’s a Spartan for you. But still, it’s bad to be locked one thing, no matter what it is. You need to live a little, take it in; time won’t pass quickly if you’re counting it.”
Epsilon looked to me with a blank face. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking. She blinked and looked away. “What an odd way to think.”
“Is it really? It’s normal for me.”
“And odd for me.” Epsilon added quickly. There’s that teenage angst she’s been hiding.
“What are you two slackers doing up here?”
I heard a booming voice, and I looked down the hall, to see a large man walking toward us. It was Mr. Brasden. He was carrying some heavy fabric cloaks and a couple lanterns.
“Just making out, doin’ it, you know, the usual-”
Epsilon punched me. Not too hard, considering her full strength. I still fell over to my side though, but with a smile, expecting the response.
“Well, if you two are ready to be of some use, you can take the rooftop watch – We need to make sure there are no Ravens flying around the city eating people – Live or dead – Or any Dogs for that matter.”
I got to my feet and raised my hand up to my brow in a lazy salute.
“Wilco.”
“Excellent.” Brasden said in his usual slow, and deep voice. “Oh, and don’t try ‘doin it’ up there, your dick will freeze off.” He added.
“Part of the fun.”
I replied, and took the supplies he was holding.
“Don’t freeze to death up there either – Last thing I need is another body bag – The Andestinian branded ones don’t come cheap.”
I smirked to Brasden. “Don’t worry about it. We’re Heroes. The cold doesn’t bother us much. Especially in our armor and clothes anyway.”
Mr. Brasden nodded and walked away. I handed a lantern and a heavy coat to Epsilon, and went up the nearby stairs that led to the highest accessible point on the Guild’s citadel. The both of us clad in our heavy coats, we opened the door the observation ledge. We were met with a harsh wind, but it wasn’t as bad as it was at peak of the blizzard. There also was only a minute amount of snow actually falling along with the wind. The clouds were still immensely dark though, and it was getting late, so we lit the lanterns and walked to the edge of the observation balcony.
There was one other person there. Staring out into the snow covered city below. Their lantern had long since extinguished, and only sat by their feet.
When we got closer, I recognized it as Presír.
“You good?”
I said, eyeing her. Her face was dark, but she nodded. I shrugged and continued away from her. I wanted to be alone with Epsilon. I still wanted to talk about something.
We reached the ledge, and I laid my hands on the stone railing, looking out onto the city below. It was a breathtaking sight – Even in the middle of this blizzard, with snow covering the roofs and roads - No, because of the snow, and weather, and the wind, and the darkness, it looked so oddly beautiful. Melancholically so. I knew that under that snow were hundreds of torn bodies and pools of blood. But I didn’t think about it. A few Ravens circled, outside the city, near the north, but that was about it. Some beasts scurried here and there, they were but black shadows darting between buildings and roads. There also packs of lights, which moved down the streets in a few places. I recognized them as adventurer teams tasked with making sure everyone was safe, and fighting off the beasts from being too comfy in the city.
Must suck to be them, having to fight monsters in this weather.
Epsilon looked to me. “So, what’s your plan?”
“To get back home?”
She nodded.
“Well, it’s simple really. I want to get close with council – Specifically the head councilman. Since they’re the ones that perform the summoning ritual, and take the summoning tablets when they’re found, they should know about how to get us back to our worlds.”
“And to do that you wanted to finish this mission.”
I shook my head. “No, at first I wanted to beat Jeremiah so I could take his position as the first seated Hero. I don’t think that’ll happen any time soon seeing as though he has centuries of experience on me; So, I thought that maybe, by capturing Alisson or taking his head, and bringing it personally to the council, I could make connections and show my loyalty.”
Epsilon nodded in understanding.
“From what I’ve heard back in the mainland…The other heroes…They don’t have much hope for returning to their worlds.” She looked off into the city. “You and I seem to be the only ones determined about this.”
I broke into a smirk. “All the better. So then, how about it?”
I stuck my hand out to her. She looked to me, and then to my hand, apparently confused.
I tilted my head. “Want to be accomplices?”
She looked at me. “That’s a bad way to put it.”
I shrugged. “Well, we are going against the wishes of Andestine by trying to break loose from their ownership.”
The corner of Epsilon’s lips curled into an angry frown. “When you phrase it like that…I suppose I forgot that Andestine is not our country.”
She grabbed my right hand with hers, and shook, nodding.
“Will do. We’ll be accomplices then.”
I nodded. “Then when I’m back in the capitol, if I learn or see anything that benefits us getting back home – I’ll let you know the next time we meet.”
Epsilon looked out. “And if we don’t? What if you find a way back when I’m not around?”
I tightened the grip on her hand. “I’ll wait for you. I promise.”
She looked to our hands, and then up to me, with a small smile. I reciprocated her smile. “Of course, I hope you’d do the same if you were in my position.”
She bobbed her head. “You have my word.”
“The word of a Spartan, how lucky am I?”
I let go of her hand and we both looked out at the city to a sudden break out of noise. One of the adventurer groups were fighting off some beasts.
“You seem to…hold a very high regard of me because I am Spartan. Why is that?”
“Well, exactly that. You’re a Spartan. Born and bred to a be a virtuous badass, killing machine. Your people left a great dent on history, and are remembered as both a note on the highest peak of combat proficiency, and of the highest peak of discipline.”
She looked to me, and bit conflicted. “I’m glad to hear that…But, I’m a woman, I don’t fight, I’m not supposed to.”
“You were still trained to, but you weren’t meant to; because you’ve got a more important duty than fighting when comes to your people – Every man a soldier, and every woman, the mother of a soldier, right?”
That made her blush. Hard. She didn’t punch me though; she only looked away.
“I-I suppose you’re right.” She stammered. She then stepped away, announcing. “I’m getting cold.”
“Riiight.” I said slyly as I watched her retreat.
I couldn’t tell if she was telling the truth or if she was really so embarrassed by a simple comment. Of course, I don’t know how the Greeks treated sexual jokes and openness – They might be like Mormons for all I know – Strict and tight-lipped.
I looked over to the other person standing out in the cold. Presír.
“What are you doing out here? You look like you’re freezing.”
I hollered to her. She didn’t respond. I frowned, and walked closer to her.
“…Maybe you’d be a little warmer if you lit that lantern…” I suggested, still quite far away from her.
“I’ll never be warm again.”
I tilted my head. “What?”
“They’re all dead…and it’s all my fault.”
I squinted my eyes at her, but then I realized what she was referring to. She’s the adviser for team Crimson. One of the teams that went into the Jungle, and that haven’t returned. That specific team was the one Alisson was in.
“Come on now,” I shook my head. “You’re acting like everything is all said and done. Have you seen for yourself their bodies?”
She replied to my question only by lifting her hand, and pointing out toward the north. Her finger was visibly frostbitten.
“This weather. Nobody will get out of Freigat alive in this weather – It’s impossible. Anybody who survived would’ve already returned.”
Her hand dropped. I frowned. “Still though, even if they’re dead, you shouldn’t blame yourself for something you have no control of.”
“…No control?” She looked down, at the base of the citadel, hundreds of feet below. “I could’ve stopped him. I could’ve averted everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was the one who recommended Alisson and his sister to the team.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh please. That’s hindsight. Don’t beat yourself up. Ninety-nine point nine to the nth out of a hundred times, you’re not going to find out that someone is actually some demonic cat person. What were you supposed to think?”
“I should’ve noticed it.” Presír said, “It’s my job as an adviser, to protect my team…and now, and now…Dane…Rei…they’re all dead because of me! I’m all alone now! I failed them…”
She laid her hands on the railing, and visibly tightened them.
I’m starting to get a little suspicious.
“Calm down there. You clearly love your team. But sitting out here in the cold does no one any good. Let’s go inside and warm up a little, okay?”
She didn’t reply. A long few moments passed.
I started to get anxious.
“Presír. Come.”
Her grip on the stone railing tightened.
Then, without warning, she hoisted herself up, and stood on the railing.
My eyes widened, and I broke into a dash.
But I was too far away.
“Presír!”
I reached out my hand, but it was no use – She walked forward, and off the citadel.
I reached the place where she had been not moments before, the absence of snow marking where she had stood. One look down below, and without thinking, I put my hands on the railing, pulled myself up, and dived after her.
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I reached out my hand toward Presír’s body. If I could grab her, and pull her close to me, I could take the brunt of the impact. Gravity works equally on all objects, so thereby, with Presir already being below me, I wouldn’t be able to reach her in a million years.
Fortunately, I’ve taken physics. Our accelerations may both be constant…however, my velocity is higher, since I pushed off the stone behind me. That means that though we both may be increasing our speeds to terminal velocity, I’ll be faster than her, and thus, I’ll be able to catch up.
“Shepard!”
I heard Epsilon’s voice; and I knew that she was probably overlooking me now. She was probably running toward me to stop me from jumping.
Within a matter of a few seconds, the laws of physics worked as intended. I grabbed Presír. First by the ankle, and then I pulled her toward me in the air. I wrapped my arms around her, and began eyeing where I’d quite literally break my back on below. Thankfully, the citadel was straight on this particular side of the building – There was a layer of fresh snow below.
I wasn’t thankful for myself, but for Presír – That increased her chances.
“W-w-what are you doing!? Let go of me!”
Interrupting my thoughts, Presír suddenly started thrashing around.
“Hold still!”
I clamped her body more tightly, and her struggles were immediately ended because of my far superior strength. We didn’t have anymore time to talk – The ground was already fast approaching. I tightened my eyes, and prepared for a world of hurt. The fall itself only took around ten seconds, and in that time, we were no doubt near terminal velocity.
Right before we hit the ground, I lifted Presír’s body up, so that my arms could ask as a shock suspension to try and further pad her fall.
This is far cry from falling off my shed.
Then, it happened.
Surprisingly, I didn’t black out. I was left to feel the pain in its entirety. For a moment I writhed around, cringing. It feels like my insides have been spilled through the inside of my armor, and I don’t know if that’s necessarily hyperbole. I felt a wave of tire all of a sudden, and I knew that I was going to black out.
I fought to open my eyes, and I glanced at the limp body on my chest. There was blood everywhere. Presír didn’t move.
“God-! Damnit-!”
With that curse, my vision faded.
…
When I came-to, it felt like nothing had happened. My body was fine, my insides no longer felt like they were tumbling around in my armor. Instead, I was laid down on a bed. The ceiling was most definitely the Guild Citadel’s dorms. From the light shining through the window, it hasn’t been long.
I slowly careened my eyes to my side. I saw for a brief moment an odd sight. Arciel had one hand on my chest, and the other on her collar. She had a small blush. I moved my head to get a better look, but all that did was alert her to my consciousness, and she recoiled in sudden embarrassment, almost falling.
Weird…
“Presír – Is she alright? Did she make it?”
I already knew the answer.
Arciel’s face promptly straightened. She looked away for a moment, before slowly shaking her head.
I tightened my fist.
“The fuck was I supposed to know that she was going to-! Damn it!”
I shook my head, grinding my teeth. I didn’t think Presír would take such a drastic action. Damn it all. Arciel seemed taken back by my sudden outburst, and didn’t say anything.
“You didn’t.” I heard Epsilon, and looked to see her in the doorway. “But don’t go jumping off of buildings – We’re supposed to be accomplices.”
As me and Epsilon fell into silence, Arciel was glancing back and forth at the both of us.
“W-what do you mean ‘accomplices’?”
She asked. Oh crap. Air-headed Epsilon here doesn’t realize that Arciel, despite being a petulant brat, is still with Andestine. I’ll have to tell her later to keep that whole ‘accomplice’ thing under wraps, or else we might land ourselves in some trouble.
“It’s nothing.” I waved my hand, “You know how Epsilon is.”
“A-ah. Right…”
Arciel shook her head. I could see her default bratty demeaner flow back into and I knew immediately that I was in for a reprimand.
“She’s still right about one thing – You shouldn’t jump off a building to save some random person!”
She crossed her arms and looked away, like this matter was the same as any other, more petty one that she’d treat the same.
“I’m never going to sit by and do nothing. Especially since I’m a hero. If someone is in trouble…”
“You’re really letting that ‘hero’ title get to you huh?”
Arciel suddenly leaned in, her face was one of anger, and not petty reprimand. “Your life belongs to me and Andestine. It seems you’ve forgotten. You died, Shepard. What if Sidonians attacked while I was left without a hero or mana? Huh?”
My eye twitched.
I hate this. I wanted to tell her shove it. I wanted to denounce Andestine.
But…After remembering what Clarke had said, I was left suddenly conflicted. That, and I need to simmer down – If I want to get on Andestine’s good side, I need to be their dog.
I hate it. If that means that I can’t even rescue someone….I…Fuck!
“And who are you to choose who you save?”
Arciel suddenly redoubled. I tilted my head.
“What?”
“You let those Nekomata in Foksly die, why is now any different?”
My face twisted up into anger. “They’re the enemy, that’s different. Alisson has hurt all of us!”
“Even though the infiltrators didn’t do anything to harm you directly?” Arciel closed her eyes. “Hmph!”
My hands were shaking in fury. Arciel turned away, and said before leaving the room: “Double standards don’t suit you. At least you could’ve saved her properly, then we could’ve used it as propaganda.”
I stared down, my mind a knot. A few minutes passed, and Epsilon came to take Arciel’s place near me.
“Don’t pay any mind to the child.” Epsilon shook her head. “What you did was expected.”
“What do you mean?”
“When you were with Andestine in Foksly, you needed to act in their favor. But there with Presír, nobody was watching you. You did what you wanted. That was all.”
I stared down for a long minute, but I looked up at her with a smile. “Thanks, I didn’t know I needed affirmation for trying to stop somebody from killing themselves.”
“The problem is that the child is always nearby, even if out of sight.”
“Andestine is always nearby you mean.”
She nodded. “It may be against our wishes, but we have to comply in order to return home.” Epsilon sighed. “However, she made a bigger deal out of it than it really is. She must either be in bad mood or…”
I squinted at Epsilon. “What?”
Epsilon shook her head. “Nothing, just a tendency of children, a girl’s vice is all. You wouldn’t understand.”
The hell is she talking about? What else could Arciel be other than in a sour mood or just a little shit?
Epsilon stood over me, looking out into the city. We stayed there for a while in silence.
Where do my loyalties lay? I’ve went along with Andestine so much that…Tch.
I shook my head. I shouldn’t be affected by what Arciel had to say. What I did was right. Even if, even if Presír didn’t make it. Well, it was right to me morally, but not to world that surrounds me.
Her body would’ve blended in with those who had died in the attack this morning, had I not done anything. No one would’ve batted an eye. Now though, everyone knows what happened. Everyone knows what she did, and she’ll be forever remembered as having taken her own life. If I knew she was going to die, then I wouldn’t have desecrated her memory.
That though, is hindsight. I’m pretty good at living with my decisions. Even if they’re stupid. Trying to save Presír, was a mistake as I now know. Whatever. I’ll go on with my life, I’ll conform to Arciel’s wishes. But I will never; Never; Believe that what I did was wrong.
Epsilon broke the silence with a sudden murmur, “…Is that?”
“What?” I asked, and got to my feet.
“Look.”
Epsilon pointed to window. I looked, and saw what she was motioning to. The northern gate, that earlier today I had been standing on, but that was now in ruins. There were a group of four dark figures, each carrying lanterns, heading into the city from the northern road.
“Those can’t be guards. And the adventurers should only be patrolling the inside of the city…Who else could be coming down from the north?...-!?”
I gasped with a sudden realization. I looked to Epsilon. “That’s an adventurer team – From Freigat!”
Epsilon nodded. “That’s good news, that means we can question them about the fisherman.”
I slowly shook my head absentmindedly. “That too but…” I looked through the window, to the area that where Presír and I had died. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
She kills herself, and then survivors from Freigat arrive. Whoever the god around here is, he’s a fucking asshole.
…
“Are you all okay?”
“How’s the expedition!? Where is everyone!?”
“Please-! Have you seen my Jachne, please, tell me she made it out!”
“Alright! Alright!” Brasden walked through the crowd of people that had formed around the returning team. “Give them some room for the love of Ior! They just went through hell, the least you can do is show some respect!”
The hub went silent. With Brasden’s booming voice, and encroaching Andestinians, the crowd was quick to disperse.
Surprisingly, news of Presír’s suicide was kept under wraps. Brasden informed me privately that he appreciated my effort. It seems that he’s going to let her be ‘discovered’ as being dead along with the rest of the residents and adventurers lost due to the beasts and Alisson. That was one weight lifted from my neck.
But that’s behind me. Now, a team of survivors have arrived from Freigat, this could be huge.
Now surrounding the team, were a dozen Platinum Knights, me, Arciel, Clarke, Epsilon, and Freudlin. Arciel kept on giving me a bitter look. I ignored her.
The team hadn’t even shaken off the snow at their cloaks by the time they were swarmed with attention.
“Now now Andestine.” Mr. Brasden crossed his arms. “I know you’re all very interested in asking my team a few questions, but give them a break, at least for a few hours. They’ve been through enough as it is.”
“No, that’s quite alright.” The female leader of the team said sternly. “Reporting as quickly as possible is matter of life and death, and with Andestine here, it’s probably important.”
“But-“ Brasden started, but was cut of by his own adventurer.
“I appreciate the concern, Mr. Brasden, but if we can survive Freigat, then what’s a few minutes of talk?”
Brasden sighed, resigned. Freudlin stepped forward.
He laid a hand on his cerulean chest plate. “I’m the commander of the all the Andestine forces currently operating in the north. It’s good to see that you’re alive.”
The leader of the adventurer team stepped forward, and bowed. “We’re Team Mystic. We’re not much, but if Andestine has business with the last expedition, we’ll tell you everything we know.”
“Thank you for your understanding.” Freudlin nodded. “I’ll cut to the chase. One of the teams that was sent in with you, Crimson, had two Sidonian black-ops specialists with them. We’re here to hunt them down and find out what they were doing in the Jungle.”
Team Mystic recoiled.
“Two Sidonians? In our ranks?”
“They had to be the new guys, right? I don’t wanna find out one of Crimsons’s people were Nekomata.”
Freudlin nodded his head. “You’re right, it was the two rookie adventurers. Alavier Euwald – He’s really Alisson Vi Nuam, if you’ve heard of him.”
The adventurer murmured to each other for a moment.
“Can I just get something clear here?” I stepped forward, and everyone turned their sights on me. “It’s not just Alisson. We shouldn’t forget about the apprentice that he’s got – She put Kana into a coma and killed Marie’ann of Team Salthith.”
I said with a bit of anger. Upon hearing the Salthith name drop, a few of the knights and surrounding adventurers seemed visibly disturbed. Freudlin nodded in response. “We’ve been working to ascertain the identity of her, but we’ve got nothing so far. She isn’t likely very well known.”
I stepped back, with a frown.
“Are you alright, Shepard?” Clarke whispered to me. “You look like something’s bothering you.”
I opened my mouth, and saw the sudden vision of Presír’s body falling away from me, like a doll that had been dropped. “…No, it’s nothing, just a bad memory surfaced is all.”
I whispered back.
“Idiot.” Arciel whispered.
My eye twitched but I managed to ignore her.
“I’ll start from the beginning.” The leader of Mystic started, everyone around sat with crossed arms, eager to find out what happened in the Jungle. “Everything was going according to plan until we reached the point where the last expedition had been destroyed. We set up our basecamp, and split up to look for survivors. When all the teams were split up though, we were attacked. A sudden and deliberate strike annihilated our basecamp, which was manned by Auburn and Ulroy’s men.”
The adventurer hesitated for a moment.
“…When we got there, we couldn’t find any survivors. Just blood, mangled bodies. Like a giant had crushed everything.”
“Hold on,” Brasden interjected. “What really happened? Just some beasts aren’t enough to kill two veteran teams like that.”
The leader of Mystic shook her head. “Flares were shot up. We thought by the survivors of the last expedition, but when we got there, there was only this odd-looking beast that disappeared right after. The beasts were the ones to lure us out, and then took out Auburn.”
“Then what about Crimson?”
Freudlin asked, obviously more interested in Alisson’s team.
“I’m pretty sure Crimson made it through, like us. When we got to the basecamp, there were a bunch of tracks heading north that weren’t there before, and we figured that it was beasts chasing down survivors from Auburn or Crimson, so we followed.”
“And? Where did Crimson go specifically?”
The leader of Mystic shook her head. “We never laid eyes on Crimson after the basecamp fell. But judging from their tracks, they went deep, very deep, into the center of Freigat. We chased down Crimson for a couple days, but we never caught any sight of them - We did pick up a survivor from Crimson though.”
She motioned to a much larger adventurer by her side. The large man turned ajar slightly, and I saw what was hanging on his back. At first I thought it was just a backpack, but now I see that’s a whole person. A girl with dull pink lay hung suspended there, her eyes closed, unconscious.
Her armor, much like Mystic’s, was in terrible shape: Steel plates were torn like paper, chainmail shattered and loose, the only thing that seemed to be usable was her sword.
“…Is she alright?” Freudlin asked.
“She’s been unconscious on our trip back; Thankfully, we managed to stabilize her, she should be alright.” The supposed medic of Mystic reported.
“Good. I’d like to ask her a few questions when she does come-to.”
The leader of Mystic shook her head in response to Freudlin. “I request that you leave her out of it. After we stabilized her, we had to knock her out with Friede spell. You probably won’t get anything out of her, other than tick her off more.”
“What do you mean tick her off?” Freudlin tilted his head.
“I mean she was furious. The truth is, we knocked her out because she was a threat toward us. She’ll definitely need a psychiatric check-up before she can be questioned. Else she might rip your neck out mid-way through a conversation.”
Freudlin cleared his throat. “Aside from the survivor, is there anything else we should know?”
The leader of Mystic shook her head. “If our duty is done here, then I’d like to finally ask – “ her mouth furrowed “What the hell happened to the city?”
Brasden opened his mouth to explain, but Freudlin was quicker.
“Those two Sidonians caused this. They brought a horde to the city, and thus killed innumerable civilians for their agenda.”
Mystic seemed shocked for a moment. A sudden flame of fury suddenly lit in their eyes.
“We’ll be heading into Freigat to find out what Sidonia’s objective was, and perhaps foil their plans.”
Freudlin, I know where you’re going with this, and you’re one opportunistic son of a bitch.
Freudlin held out his hand.
“If you wish to avenge this town, I can offer you the position as our guides through Freigat.”
Brasden’s eyes widened. “It’s really? It’s really happening?” He muttered to himself in excitement.
Ignoring the staffer, the leader of Mystic stepped forward, and took Freudlin’s hand without hesitation.
“We’d be glad to. I’m guessing you’ll be chasing him down afterwards?”
Freudlin nodded his head.
“Of course. What we find down Alisson’s trail may be important, so I don’t want to split our forces – I’m taking every man Andestine has allotted me – We’re going to find what out Alisson was doing, no matter what.”
The leader of Mystic crossed her arms, smiling.
“The first real military unit in Freigat, and we’ll be ones escorting you. It’s an honor.”
It seems Mystic is far more favorable toward Andestine than many others, we’re lucky they’re the ones that survived. That, or they just hate Sidonia. Well, they probably do now, with the whole luring beasts to a civilian center thing.
Ahem, I mean war crime.
They did also use White Phosphorus in Foksly, and burned people alive. If that isn’t also a war crime, I don’t know what is.
Well, it seems the matter with Freigat has been settled. Thanks to Freudlin, we’ve secured a loyal adventurer team to guide us through. Well, thanks to this storm though, we can’t go right away. We’ll have to wait until it’s cleared, and in the meantime prep our supplies for what sounds like a very dangerous outing.
Midway through our preparations however, Arciel was reminded of her orders.
“I’m sorry Miss Arcielvitzi, but this a direct withdrawal order from the council. Me and my squad have been sent to escort you back to the homeland.”
A knight informed us. Arciel only growled in response.
“Hold on here.” I stepped forward.
I am not getting cucked out of finding out what Alisson’s objective is. No way. I need to have something to show for my mission – I don’t care if Arciel’s technically responsible for my actions – I want to present something to the council. Something, anything, to invoke a meeting with them and gain their trust.
This recall order might be just that.
“How long would it take to get back to mainland?”
The knight pondered my question for a moment.
“Many weeks, but it certainly depends, hero.”
I smiled. “Then how about we conveniently tack on a couple extra weeks and call it bad weather no?”
The knight shook his head.
“I’m sorry, but orders are orders.”
Arciel looked to me, with a despondent frown, as if saying I wasn’t helping.
I stepped forward, and grabbed the knight by the scruff of the neck. He was about an inch taller than me, but I was still stronger than him.
“How about we conveniently tack on a couple extra weeks, and call it bad weather? Or maybe should I report a Sidonian ambush that crippled our escort?”
The knight shook.
Pussy. He probably has better swordsmanship than me, that’s the funny part. He has a very good chance of winning were we to fight. Of course, he doesn’t know how much I lack in fencing skills. He just knows I’m a big strong hero, that is lifting a fully grown, fully armored man, off their feet.
“A-as you wish, hero.”
Arciel tilted her head at me. “What are you trying to pull?”
I lowered the knight and looked to her. “Think about it. If we go to the Jungle, and find out what Alisson was doing, then guess who’ll be the first to report it to the council?”
Arciel’s eyes lit up. “You’re right. Freudlin is taking the 153rd and going after Alisson after he explores the Jungle – We can be the messengers.”
And it’ll give you a few more days away from your father.
She didn’t show any indication of her real feelings. But now I know. I’m starting to figure out what makes Arciel tick.
…
During the night, Arciel showed Clarke how to use the tracking spell that the cult had given us, and he used it successfully, attaining Alisson's position as being just west of us on the map, so we can assume he's heading west. It sucks we don't have the men to investigate Freigat and chase him down at the same time, but Freudlin thinks that pouncing on whatever is going on in Freigat is more important than getting the jump on Alisson, as since we have a tracking spell, the 153rd can me more lenient and lax in their pursuit, at least for now, when this blizzard is making travel of a large force impossible.
Afterwards though, another couple days passed as we prepared our supplies to enter the Jungle.
The voyage into Freigat was an interesting one. I got to see a bunch of beasts, fight a lot of beasts, get wounded by a lot of beasts. Beasts beasts beasts. Everywhere. But what else is everywhere? A battalion of Andestine’s finest, that’s what. The Platinums make Mystic look like a joke. I can see now the difference between a contracted merc with no formal training to a real knight.
On our first day, pushing through the outside of Freigat, the knights tore through the Dogs like they were nothing. It wasn’t just our single platoon anymore, but five times more men than we had when we faced the cult. Needless to say, we did far better than the adventurers thought we were going to. After a few days, the knights easily adapted to fighting beasts.
The mages though, Arciel included, were bored out of their minds. The adventurers told us that conserving mana for times of emergency was key for survival in Freigat. As such, the battlemages, Clarke and Arciel included, haven’t done much. A few times these massive creatures would show up, like a massive millipede or spider or whatever. They were real spectacles, before I realized that if one stepped on me, I’d be dead four times over. Then, they turned into far scarier opponents. Or, they would’ve been, but we have so many mages, that any so-called ‘Bears’ are blown the fuck away, no questions asked.
Any hordes that get too big?
Blown the fuck away.
Any aerial enemies?
Blown the fuck away.
These tall black humanoid dudes watching us from afar?
Blown the fuck away.
Actually, scratch that last one, sometimes they hang around, even after being hit with the equivalent of a 105 mm howitzer. After the dust clears, they’re still just there, doing their thing; stalking us. Fuckos.
The adventurers just kept on going on and on about how to be cautions and about how usually there’s far more trouble, but nobody was listening to them. It was a straight steamroll, all up until the point where the last expedition came under attack.
Now, this is the part where all shit hits the fan, right?
Nope. A bunch of flares were sent up in the distance, not by us; the adventurers said they were traps, and we moved on. Simple as that.
We then came to a large cliff, and beyond it a large canyon. Hundreds of rotting skeletons rested below in the snow.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, there’s snow fucking everywhere. But that’s beside point.
Anyway, big canyon, big problem? Right? Nope. One of the adventurers had this slow fall spell thing, which let us all get to into the canyon easily. The few beasts wandering around were massacred, and we continued on our way.
Now this is where the adventurers started getting real antsy with us. Saying that is the farthest they’ve every gone and all that, and how they didn’t even feel comfortable sleeping here. We ignored them, as usual, and carried on.
Up until now, we’d been following in the footsteps of Alisson, but now, the trail went cold. We decided to keep on heading north, and thus deeper into Freigat. We entered some forest, that the adventurers said was super dangerous, and granted it looked like it. If I was in Freigat, alone, I’d be shitting bricks. Fortunately, I’ve got, as mentioned before, comrades who don’t mess around. So when massive spiders sprung up and started attacking us, thinking that something important was underground, we went down the spider’s burrows. We found a nest. There were massive spiders there. It was scary for a few moments, before you know,
Our battlemages sent up flares, and then,
Blew them the fuck away. The entire spider nest was destroyed within like five minutes. I’ve never seen so much god damn explosions, it’s almost heartrending, really.
After essentially making a species go extinct – We bumbled around topside for a while more. The beasts here proved more a challenge, every Dog was a valid, strong opponent. Almost a quarter of them had camouflage – Active camouflage. Most had ranged attacks, whether it be in the form of spit acid or spikes. One of our guys got blasted with acid, and he melted alive in front of us. Arciel almost went kaput at the sight, but I was there to shake her around and get her moving. I didn’t think I would have to think when fighting an animal, but it turns out these things are pretty smart too.
The sight we saw next was an ominous one. We were just coming out of a thick brush when we saw a frozen lake. It was a beautiful sight, really, it was. There was one thing though. A single, gargoyle looking thing just sat in the middle of the lake. It just sat there, miles away, just staring at us.
After seeing black shadows moving under the ice of the lake, we decided it was better not to go over the frozen body of water.
Ahem. Now, I know I’ve been acting like a real dickweed until now, and truth is, I’ve had to. This place is terrible. I’m fatigued, tired, and my bones ache. I haven’t felt this way since I wasn’t hero. Beasts are fucking terrifying. The crazy sights we see, off in the distance, are unsettling in the worst way possible.
We stumbled across the field of holes. Holes in the snow, like something had fallen through the earth. We soon found out that it wasn’t a natural formation. It was a field of beasts. At the bottom of each hole, was a bed of wriggling tentacles. I could’ve sworn I saw a human body down one of them, but I dared not tell anyone. I just wanted find what we were looking for as fast as possible.
We were starting to have doubts about that too. We circled the lake a few times, and then eventually decided that this lake wasn’t any sort of epicenter, and with it our lead went cold. The adventurers hadn’t seen a body of water in Freigat before, so we thought for sure that something would be around here, but there wasn’t a thing. So, we were forced to bumble around the jungle further, fighting for what seemed like no reason for days on end.
It was on a routine march, during a brief lapse in combat, that we found what we were looking for. It was so sudden, and had no aura of importance to it. At first, we thought it wasn’t important, actually. It was just some structure in the middle of a forest clearing, and there was a mound of freshly dug dirt nearby. The structure looked like a miniature pantheon, with its steps and columns, and then just a single door.
“So this is what the fishermen found…”
We didn’t think it was anything special until Epsilon said that. She said she just had a feeling. That prompted one of the mages to suddenly blurt out that they’re mana was fully regenerated, when not minutes before he’d been exhausted. All the other mages reported similar occurrences. When Freudlin touched the door, muttering something about a complicated design, he stopped himself short, saying afterwards that he’d been drained of his mana. Upon further testing, this proved true. A half dozen mages were systematically drained of their mana, to no avail.
We cleared the structure of snow, and tried to look for any traces of the Sidonians. We found some blood on the stone, and a bunch of rotten goop on the dirt. It was odd – Beasts don’t leave traces like this. And they don’t dig up earth. We had a few knights dig up the mound, but all we found was a rotten body of what looked to be an adventurer, we knew this from the five silver bars that sheened brightly from the rotten corpse.
It was only when one of Mystic’s members identified the adventurer as being part of Crimson, when we knew we were at the right place.
We were then left with two mysteries, what was this place, and just what the hell became of Team Crimson?
The group worked for a while figuring out any ways to open the door, but we didn’t find any luck in that matter. The problem was, if the Sidonians were here, and went inside the structure, how did they do it without force? – Since the door seemed intact and all. Eventually, Freudlin made the hard call to blow the door open. We used a few weak spells at first, and they didn’t do anything.
Alright, we tried some more powerful spells, in a larger barrage. Nothing.
Freudlin ordered an all-out attack.
Massive, shockwave emitting, earth rumbling spells slammed into the door, successively.
Nothing. Not one bit of the structure was damaged. It didn’t even seem like it was made of a tough material either – It was just stone. We tried digging under, over, around, but all we found were what looked like the Sidonian’s failed attempts to do the same. It was then when a mage brought up the possibility that the structure somehow had magic resistance, how the spells seemed to dissipate and not affect the stone at all.
If we had a gunpowder bomb, we could test that, or an industrial drill, but unfortunately we have neither.
“So, what do you think, Epsilon?”
I asked Epsilon, hoping that her gut instinct would again bring us some answers.
“From what it looks like, I don’t think the fisherman were able to enter the structure either.”
I raised an eyebrow. “So what, they just came here, and then left? That seems like a waste.”
“Perhaps they know as much as we do about this place – Why the mana here is so abundant.”
Arciel cut into our conversation. “Even that alone is an impressive aspect of this place – The academy would die to conduct experiments here, I bet.”
I glanced around. “If they want to be eaten half-way through, sure.”
Arciel rolled her eyes. “Obviously, disregarding the danger. Still though, we stand to learn a lot from this place. If the Sidonians went through all the trouble of getting up here, it must be important.”
“Maybe this is only one stop?” I suggested, “Maybe they’ve been to plenty other places in relation to this?”
“Perhaps.” Arciel nodded.
I’ve got to say, being out here in Freigat, Arciel’s been far less petulant than she’s ever been. She’s all professional, nothing awry. Well, everyone’s like that with their lives on the line, so I guess I shouldn’t be counting my summoner out either.
“We can only imagine what the fisherman are up to.”
My eye twitched, and I looked to Epsilon. “You mind telling me what you mean by ‘Fisherman’? I’ve been ignoring it until now but what are you getting at?”
Epsilon looked at me blankly for a moment. “Sidonian. Sidon. Sidon is a city on the Mediterranean coast, east of Crete. Its name means ‘Fishery’ in Phoenician. That, and the Sidonian insignia looks like the letter ‘Psi’.”
I looked at her, dumbfounded. “Huh?”
She drew a symbol in the snow with her spear, and pointed to it. It looked quite similar to the Sidonian insignia, but it was a less complicated.
She shrugged. “Just a funny coincidence. I thought you’d know, being ahead of my time and all-knowing.”
Arciel looked confused as well. “That’s…intriguing.”
You don’t know anything she just said, Arciel.
Still though, it is intriguing, but mostly useless information. There exists two possibilities in my mind for why this is – Either it’s a pure coincidence, or whoever founded Sidonia was a hero or was in the same sense summoned like I was somehow. Those my only guesses. The reason 'Sidonia' wasn't translated as Epsilon is saying is because Sidonia is a proper noun, which, as I've come to learn, aren't translated by my translation magic.
I shook my head, breaking myself out of my bewilderment. “Next time, tell me any coincidences you find right of the bat, will you? I don’t exactly speak Phoenician or know every damn city in the world.”
Epsilon bowed. “My apologies.”
“Alright! Everyone gather around!” Freudlin called from nearer to the structure, interrupting our conversation.
The knights and the adventurers formed up. Surprisingly, not many beasts have attacked us while we’ve been looking around.
“We’ve tried everything, but the truth is, we’re not getting through this door or into the structure. We’ll need a full blown excavation site set up here, and maybe through sheer firepower or complicated spells will that door open. There’s also the case of that mana drainage, maybe we need someone who has a hell of a lot more mana than any of us.”
Freudlin said, looking over the 153rd.
There were blue outlines that appeared whenever somebody with a large mana supply was drained, and perhaps if these outlines were fully filled into the door’s complicated design, it would open. It would explain why the Sidonians, who are lackluster in mana capacity, wouldn’t be able to open the door.
“As it stands now, we don’t know what this place is or why the Sidonian’s came here. That’s a problem. I thought we’d find answers to the entirety of Alisson’s mission here, but it turns out I was wrong. It looks like the only answers we’ll be getting is from Alisson’s mouth. I’m hereby shifting this operation to a capture op. We’re taking Alisson alive. It’s become apparent that this whole operation is far more important than just killing some kid.”
“So?” Clarke spoke up. “Do we just leave this place here? I could spend my rest of my life here if you’d let me.”
Freudlin looked to Clarke, his arm’s crossed. “Which won’t be very long mind you.” Clarke frowned. Freudlin shook his head. “As many men as we do have, I’m not going to station anybody out in this godforsaken jungle for months in the winter until reinforcements arrive. We’ll tell the homeland, and we’ll establish a permanent presence here. If anything, what we’ve done in helping the people of Pūshkinskaya will aid Andestine as a whole – We might be able to use this region as a foothold in the north.”
I didn’t think of that. I smiled. Another positive to report to the council. Despite the fact that I won’t be capturing Alisson along with the rest of the 153rd.
“On that front, commander…” Arciel spoke up, and everyone turned to her. “Since I’ll be withdrawing to the homeland, I can inform the council on your behalf.”
Freudlin nodded. “Good. I rather someone with eyes-on experience be pleading my case than some courier.”
With that, Andestine’s course of action regarding Alisson and the north, was settled. The 153rd would continue to track down and capture Alisson now with five times more men, and me and Arciel would return to the homeland to ask for reinforcement and explain what we found.
Of course, this could be for naught, as Epsilon said, this could be a footnote in why Alisson is really up here in the north, a pitstop.
My mind shot to the faces in the night I saw while on night watch, and the figures that moved in the night before my vision.
I hope to god the Sidonians don’t consider this place a ‘pitstop’.
It’s all a big knot because of those orders Arciel received out of nowhere. They feel so out of place, and random. Why the hell am I getting pulled back? I looked the comrades around me. Despite them not even being with the same country or religion as I, I still felt some sense of brotherhood with the 153rd, Clarke, and Epsilon, after fighting through this hell.
But that and the desire to catch Alisson was the only thing holding me here. In reality, logically, getting to speak with the council and parading around the homeland was far better for achieving my goal.
So with that, we marked down the position of the structure as best we could on the shitty maps we had, and withdrew.
I can’t imagine traveling through Freigat without a battalion of knights. How the fuck are you supposed to fight through legions of beasts with like six guys or less? How could sleep at night, not knowing that a couple dozen veteran soldiers were watching your back? Just what the fuck did the Sidonians go through to get to their objective? Was it just the two of them?
I can’t imagine that. Surely they had backup. The dead adventurer rings a bell. So by that same coin, shouldn’t there have been adventurers on their side when they attacked Pūshkinskaya? Or...Did they…did really leave all on their own?
I looked out toward the swarms of beasts before me. Their writhing flesh pushing against each other, all howling and shrieking in a cacophony of horror. Beyond them, things watched. I wasn’t sure what there were, and they always took on different shapes and forms. Sometimes I was suddenly unsure of where I was, sometimes everyone around me were gored and dead, and the next they weren’t. Sometimes a knight would die, and nothing could’ve saved them, certainly not me, certainly not Epsilon. Certainly not a hero.
If the Sidonians passed all this on their own, they can’t possibly be human.
…
The wagon rolled quickly. It was bumpy ride, but other than that, it was uneventful.
“We’re, we’re really heading back to Re’relihn, huh?”
Arciel asked suddenly. I looked to her. “Scared?”
She looked down and away from me with a frown. She didn’t answer. I frowned in response.
“Come on now, a few days ago you were facing down hordes of beasts, what’s a little family time?”
I tried to encourage her. She was still silent.
She’s been pretty quiet ever since Freigat. Admittingly, it is not exactly the place for fifteen-year-old girls. She had a few close calls. Or, would’ve. I took the punishment. I took the danger. It’s my job. She’s shut up a lot more after she’s seen me step in front of her, and have my armor and body pierced by horrific vectors of flesh. Even now my armor bears the scars of Freigat.
And Arciel, well, her expression somehow stands as being a more obvious scar than the one that sliced through my chest plate. It was so uncharacteristic of her. I couldn’t tell if it was Freigat that made her like this or if it was the pretense of returning to her family.
I nudged her shoulder. “Cheer up. You’ll be sixteen soon right? You have to start acting like it.”
She only gave me a look and shifted away from me. She clearly doesn’t want to talk. She normally crosses her arms with a little ‘Hmph!’ and a pout.
I found myself missing that sight, for some reason.
I remembered Clarkes words, and my promise to him.
My face steeled.
I don’t care who Arciel is. On one side, she’s a petulant noble. On the other, just a scared little girl. I’ll protect her. That’s in accordance with both my morals, and my responsibility as a hero.
Despite heading away from the battlefield, it feels like I’ll somehow have more work to do.
***