"๐๐ป๐ด๐'๐ ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ด๐๐๐ฆ?" Asks Kiyo.
"๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐."
"๐ผ'๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ผ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ โ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข. ๐ท๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐?"
"๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ก'๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐."
"๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก'๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐? ๐ด๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐?"
"๐ฟ๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ . ๐โ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ก๐ . ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก, โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ โ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐."
"๐ป๐๐ค ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ก'๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐?" Alice asked.
"๐ผ'๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐ ๐โ๐๐ก๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐, ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ . ๐โ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ผ'๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ก โ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐." Abby replied.
"๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ?" Corym asked.
"๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐ก โ๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐ โ๐'๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ผ'๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ก.
"๐ผ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐?"
"๐ผ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐ฆ๐. ๐ผ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐."
"๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐."
"๐ด๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ก. ๐โ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐'๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ . ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐ ๐๐๐๐."
"๐ถ๐๐'๐ก ๐ โ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ก?"
"๐โ๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐. ๐ผ๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐๐ ." Abby explains. "๐น๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐กโ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐๐กโ. ๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ข๐ โ ๐ข๐ . ๐ฝ๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ ."
"๐ป๐๐ค ๐ โ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐ฆ๐?"
"๐ผ โ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ฟ๐ข๐๐. ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐'๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐ต๐ข๐ก ๐ผ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก ๐ก๐๐."
"๐โ๐๐๐'๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ-๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐โ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐'๐ก โ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐."
"...๐น๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ค๐'๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก. ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ก'๐ โ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ฟ๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ก. ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐."
With everyone in agreement they advance further in. It doesn't take long for them to hear voices. One of those voices is Kinos coming from below them.
"๐ด๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ โ๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐." Comments Alice.
"๐ถ๐๐๐ฆ๐, ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ ๐๐."
"๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐โฆ" Corym's nose begins to bleed. It starts out as a small trickle, but the longer he stares the faster the blood pours out.
"๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐?" Leo asks, a bit concerned.
Everyone gathers near him. Abby chances a glance down and realizes what happened.
"๐โ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ก๐๐ฆ โ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐?" ๐ด๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ .
"๐ท๐๐'๐ก ๐ค๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก. ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐พ๐๐๐."
"S-Soโฆbigโฆ" Corym mumbles grinning like an idiot.
*
Earlier.
"What exactly are you, child? Are you human or another God perhaps?" The question comes from a woman with long fiery red hair flowing down her backside, past her waist, and stopping just before hitting the ground. Her voluptuous breasts and hips paired with her alabaster skin have brought countless men and even a few women to their knees with desire. She stands fully naked atop a mountain of treasure. From gold coins to gold bars, loose jewels of pearl's, ruby's, emeralds, diamonds, sapphires. Jewel encrusted crowns, daggers, swords, shields. Treasure chests scattered everywhere, and even more things behind her.
"I'm human, but was gifted these shoes by a God."
"Who taught you the language of dragons?"
"Dragon!? Where? I wanna see it!" Kino excitedly asks, looking around like a child looking for eggs on Easter Sunday. And who could blame her for wanting to see one of the most legendary monsters known to man.
"You're looking at one and talking to one as well."
"HOLY SHIT!!! You're a dragon?" Kino yells in surprise.
"Yes, I am. The names Scarlett the Red Dragon. And you are?"
"I'm Kino Kurosaki. And can you prove to me that you are in fact a dragon?"
"First answer my question. How do you know the language of dragons?"
"I have the extremely rare skill: Converse. It allows me to talk with animals and beasts."
"You humans are always full of surprises. Very well I shall converse with you in your language."
"Can you transform into a dragon now?" Kino asks.
"Unfortunately I can not."
"Oh. Why is that?"
"My magic is waning and for a dragon that means death draws near. I can maintain this form for another three days or so."
"What's the cause?" Kino asks.
"Old age and old battle scars from about three hundred years ago."
"So what's going to happen to all of this?" Kino asks, pointing to the treasure.
"It's yours." Scarlett answers.
"Why?"
"You're the first person to run in here and not away despite the aura a dragon gives off. That alone is commendable. And also I was asked to give you all of this."
"Who asked you?"
"An old woman. Said her name was Olivia. Do you know her?" Scarlett asked.
"I met someone with that name. She pointed out this quest to me. Did she say anything else?"
"Yes. She said someone would come to grant my request. All I needed to do was open the entrance of the cave and when I felt the presence of something similar to her enter it I should help guide it to me."
"And you believed her?" Kino asked.
"Nope, not at all. But I had nothing better to do so I did as she asked. So will you hear my request?"
"Fine, with me. Ask away."
"Fight and kill me out on the field of battle so I can die with honor."
"Umโฆ"
"Let's ask your friends what they think. Hey! What say you all lurking in the shadows?" Scarlett shouts out. "Do you have what it takes to defeat a named dragon on the verge of death?"
"My name is Kiyomaro Kurosaki. I have no problem accepting your request. However I will not force the others to do the same."
"Very well. I have no objections. They may do as they wish."
One by one each member accepts the request from Scarlett.
"You're the last one Kino. What is your answer?"
"Fine then let's make it official then. We of the Rising Sun Party accept your challenge to fight you to the death!"
*
Back outside.
"Please tell me you're joking Kiyo?"
"I'm not."
"So to recap, in two days you're fighting Scarlett the Red Dragon who is on the verge of death. All to grant her dying wish of dying on the field of battle."
"Yes sir, that's it."
"I get you and Kino fighting, but the rest of you could die. You get that right?" Lieutenant Arsenio asks, hoping they'll change their minds.
"We all die at some point. Some pass in their sleep peacefully, some on a quest, some on the battlefield, and some don't get a say at all. So right here right now I choose to go down fighting."
"Well, said Corym. I too wish to go out fighting." Replies Leo.
"I don't plan on dying anytime soon." Abby proclaimed.
"I'll do what I can to help." Replies Luna.
"Same here." Said Alice.
"I'm going to assume it slipped your mind so I'm going to remind you. You all are under my command as Templars."
"Regard your soldiers as your own children and they will follow into the deepest battlefield. Look upon them as your own beloved sons and they will stand by you, even until death."
"โฆ"
"Still not convinced Lieutenant." Kiyo asks. "How about this then. "If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle." Those are quotes from a very famous military general by the name of Sun Tzu."
"I've never heard of this Sun Tzu fellow, butโฆI'll support your decision on this matter. So do you even have a plan Kiyo?"
"I have a few ideas."
"Alright then while you guys figure things out I'm gonna try and get some enchanted gear that can withstand fire attacks. However I don't know how well it'll hold up against a named dragon's attack, but it's better than nothing."
"Thanks Lieutenant."
"Now before I go. How many men will you need to help haul out all the treasure that's in there?"
"None. I stuck it all in my inventory." Kino answered.
"โฆ"
"Hey Lieutenant you in there?โฆYoo-hoo."
"Hee heeโฆI think you broke him Kino." Alice said with a giggle.
"More like you overloaded his brain." Said Abby.
"Youโฆyou put it all in your inventory." Asked the Lieutenant, finally coming back to his senses.
"Yup."
"Was there anything in there that can help with this current situation?" Asked the Lieutenant.
"I can look."
"Please do."
The Lieutenant takes his leave while thinking over everything he has heard.
"Alright Corym, have you ever tried creating ice or water with your mana?"
"No Kiyo I have not. Elves are mostly blessed by the wind spirits and nature."
"Ok Luna, when you cast your spells you use visualization training right?"
"Yes, but only after being shown how."
"Can you show Corym how to create ice and water arrows?"
"Yes."
"Great you guys get started then." Kiyo said. "Alice, I want you to focus on boosting the distance you can cast your spells. Let's see how far you can get
"Right. I'll give it a shot."
"I'll help her with that."
"Thanks Abby."
"Leo, you and I are gonna focus on your combat reflexes. I want to get you on a level that allows you to react without even thinking about it."
"Sounds good, Kiyo."
"Kino I wantโฆ"
"I'm gonna go through the piles of treasure chests and see if there's anything we can use. And then I'm gonna train on my own."
"That's fine, but don't overdo it."
"Sure thing."
"Ok everyone let's go."
Later that night.
"Leo, your combat reflexes have gotten better. So tomorrow after breakfast let's continue your training."
"Sure thing Kiyo."
"Hey Leo, you'll train with me tomorrow instead."
"Oh Kino, you're gonna train with Leo then?"
"If you don't change up the tactics every now and then Leo will get wise to those tactics." Ha. Bet you didn't know I could quote Sun Tzu, did you Kiyo?"
"That's not how the quote goes, Kino."
"Close enough."
"Not even. Anyways Leo and Kino will train together then. Corym, how'd your training go?"
"It went very well. It was actually easier than I thought."
"Glad to hear it, but this next part might be harder for you."
"Bring it on."
"I want you to try coating your arrows with ice and then water. Once you get the hang of that try shooting with them."
"Hmm, that will be tricky. This is gonna require great concentration on maintaining my mana. Should be fun."
"Why not have him just shoot pure ice or water arrows?" Kino asks.
"They could be melted or evaporate before they reach Scarlett. Also by only coating my arrows I'll use slightly less mana." Corym replies.
"Can't she melt your normal arrows as well?"
"Yes definitely."
"Moving on. Luna, I want you to focus on strengthening your ice, air, and water walls."
"Sounds good."
"Alice, How'd your training go?"
"I can now cast up to three meters away from me."
"Wow, that's pretty good."
"Thanks."
"Keep training like you have been."
"Ok."
"Abby, tomorrow you're training with me."
"Is that even a fair fight? Asks Abby."
"Would it help if I don't use my swords?"
"You're just as skilled in unarmed combat aren't you?"
"Of course I am Abby. So how about I make a small circle to stand in. Then all you have to do is knock me out of it."
"How big is the circle?"
"One meter."
"Alright let's do it."
"Hey Kino, did you find anything in those chests that could help us?" Asked Luna.
"No, not yet."
"Can I ask you something Kino?"
"Ask away Abby."
"Scarlett said you were the first person to get to her. Correct?"
"Yup."
"So what does that make Olivia?"
"That's a good question. She seemed human to me."
"Kino, can you talk with Rebecca at the guild and ask her about Olivia?"
"Sure. I'll go right now."
"Ok I have nothing else. So unless you guys have anything let's call it a day."
*
"Hi, welcome to the adventures guild. My name is Wyatt. How can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Rebecca. Is she around?"
"I'm sorry but no one works here with that name."
"What about anyone named Becky?"
"No."
"How about Becca, Becci, Reba, Becka Beckah."
"Miss, only males work here."
"I'll be back."
"I'll be here."
Before Wyatt could even do anything Kino is back with Kiyo.
"โฆYou have enchanted gear don't you?" A surprised Wyatt asks.
"Sure let's go with that. But right now Wyatt, I need you to tell my brother about Rebecca."
"No one named Rebecca works here."
"Short light blue hair, green eyes, wears wire rim glasses. About my height."
"Like I told your sister, only males work here."
"Can I ask why that is?"
"A few years back, goblins attacked. Because of that very few women live here."
"Even with the Templar building nearby?" Asked Kino.
"That was recently built. Almost a year ago now."
"I see."
"Is there anything else that I can help you with?"
"Yes actually there is. I submitted a quest completion report with this fake Rebecca. Was it even filed?"
"Hold onโฆ" Wyatt ducks down below the counter then pops back up with a piece of paper. "Are you with the Rising Sun Party?"
"Yes, we are." Kiyo answers.
"Ok, please verify that this is the report you submitted."
"Yes it is."
"Alright wait one secondโฆok now place your hand on the black mirror."
Kiyo does as he's instructed.
"Now your quest has been submitted. And rest assured I will report this incident to my superior."
"Thank you Wyatt."
"No problem, always glad to help."
*
"Lieutenant, do you have a minute?" Asks Kiyo.
Lieutenant Arsenio has a spartan style office. With a medium size desk and three wooden chairs. One for himself and the other two for visitors. To the left of his desk are three dressmaker mannequins each one dressed with a different uniform. One with a ceremonial uniform, one for training, and the last one for combat. To the right is a long wooden table with four more chairs. The desk, table and chairs are made of treant wood and brown leather cushions on all the chairs.
"Yes, come in and have a seat. Now what brings you guys here at this late hour?"
The twins fill in the Lieutenant about what they learned at the guild.
"Are you sure about her appearance Kiyo?"
"Yes definitely."
"Hmm. The Rebecca I talked with had long pink hair, green eyes, and was definitely an elf. I didn't think anything of it at the time. Because I thought she was a new hire."
"So both of you interacted with someone named Rebecca, different appearance and yet no woman work at this guild. Do you think she's a shapeshifter?" Kino asked.
"Don't forget she was able to manipulate people's memories. That alone has to help narrow down the possibilities." Kiyo points out.
"No, I think it's the opposite given the types of magic tools, items, tomes, the list goes on." Said the Lieutenant.
"Hmm."
"What's on your mind sis?"
"I was thinking about what Scarlett asked me when I first met her. I didn't think anything of it at the time. But now it's got me thinking."
"And that is?"
"Why did she think I was another God? At first I thought it was The Shoes of Hermes giving off the essence of a God. And yet she didn't ask you the same thing. Even though Onyx and Snow are both creations from a God. Then she tells me Olivia paid her a visit. Olivia was the one who picked out both quests for me at the guild. "
"You think Olivia's a Godโฆno I mean a Goddess don't you?"
"I do. I also think she was Rebecca. Which can explain a lot of things."
"Hold up a minute. You two actually believe a God or Goddess is posing as a guild employee?"
"Yes, Lieutenant. I do." Answered Kino.
"Why would they?"
"Their Gods they do as they like."
"Ok here's what we'll do. First what we just talked about stays between us for now. Second, I need to at least report this to His Majesty and the heads of church. So unless you have anything else?"
"Why do we have to keep it between us?" Asked Kino.
"Religion is a sensitive subject to begin with. Given everyone's beliefs in the different Gods they worship. If word spreads that a God is possibly walking around who knows what could happen."
"Like another Holy War?" Kiyo asks.
"Exactly."
"What Gods do you worship, Lieutenant? If you don't mind me asking."
"I worship a few Gods, Kiyo. Cernunnos: the God of Animals and Nature. Chacha: the God of Warriors to name a few."
"Let's leave it at that for now and call it a night." Suggests Kiyo. "We still have much more training to do."
"Right. Goodnight you two."