"Alright. Ray. You are a legacy too, aren't you?"
The sitting young man looked somewhat amused, "And how did you come to that conclusion?"
As Ray was looking up to the Caster, while asking this, he instantly noticed the extra serious look on the guy's face.
"This wasn't really a question, Ray. I know you are from a legacy clan. In fact, I myself am surprised, I haven't been able to pick up on the numerous clues sooner."
"…"
Caster didn't even let him say anything, and just continued with his monologue, "First, there is your skill in taking down nightmare creatures, something that suggests training from very early on, as well as much adaptation training.
Next, your actual combat style. Even that you have one, as refined as yours, already supports my first point. And lastly, the too obvious signs that somehow went over my head, this whole time.
Your hair, and choice of weapon. Or rather, the way you use, said weapon."
Ray listened on, as Caster seemed to lose his cool for the very first time in front of him, since they both met. His expression didn't let much show, but the faintest twitches in his eyebrows could've showed that Caster was on to something.
"Haha, seriously, your fucking hair, just because they hadn't been too famous for a few years now… this whole damn charade is making me crazy…" The young legacy seemed to be completely lost in his thoughts, not even realizing how, and especially what he spoke out loud.
After noticing the other parties state of mind, Ray chose to remain silent. At any point, Caster could snap out of it, and with that, any chance of understanding more about Caster's deeper memories.
Of course, technically, he could simply take a look himself, but the legacy would notice certain important memories missing, and would ask questions. Also, it would take time, and while doing so, he would be nearly defenseless, while looking extremely suspicious at the same time.
Under these circumstances, it would be weird, if none of the others would do anything, or try to stop him. Therefore, this seemed like the best option for now.
"...no. Since he is also a legacy, and especially from that clan, he must have also received the same, or at least a similar order… yes. ...soon, soon everything will be over, together we can bring her down easily… we just need to lay low for a while."
"…"
At that point, Caster seemed to slowly come back to his senses, and focused his previously frantic and unclear eyes on Ray again.
"So what, Ray? Do you finally admit that you were a legacy all along? Or will you try to continue hiding it?"
The previously even amused look on his face, had completely vanished. Sure, he had indeed learned a few things, and Caster didn't even seem to have realized this yet, but this was still not going where he wanted it to.
'Is there a way to avert his suspicion…? No! He has already figured it out, but… would it actually be that bad if they found out?' while thinking this last part, Ray's gaze unconsciously wandered over to where the others were, all doing whatever they thought to be the best on the rest day.
'No! It is too early. But will he keep this information to himself…?' Ray turned his attention back to the person in front of him. "I'll admit nothing. Nothing you just said is in any way an actual proof that I'm supposed to be some kind of legacy, or anything of the like. So, if you would excuse me."
Having said what he wanted to say, Ray took his few things, and wanted to walk away, but was stopped by a single word.
"Sephiraph."
He stopped for a mere second, his face flashing with regret, disdain, and many more emotions for just an instant, before he resumed his walk.
"You are a legacy! I know you are part of the Sephiraph clan. While it isn't as well known today, most legacy clans still tell their offspring of the stories surrounding this particular clan. Especially, since it exists nearly as long as the Great Clans, at this point. "
Sighing in regret, Ray stopped again. His face showing a somewhat tired expression.
"I remember it being known under multiple names; The clan of Angels, The heaven-sent warriors. But, in my opinion, the one sounding the most impressive must be: The bloodhounds of the devil."
When Caster had finished talking, there was a moment of silence, before Ray abruptly turned around, a Xyston having at some point appeared in his hands, its tip directed directly at Caster's throat.
The extreme length of this spear managed to cross the distance in merely a second, but sadly for Ray, its target had already moved out of the way.
Nevertheless, even without the surprise element on his side anymore, Ray didn't stop. He angled his body lightly to the side where Caster had previously dodged to, and began moving his arms, and with them, the Xyston again.
He executed at least a dozen rapid thrusts in a matter of not even ten seconds. Most had missed their target, but they had never been meant to hit it, they were only a distraction.
After the twelfth thrust, just when it looked the onslaught from Ray was ending, Caster noticed something. Somehow, amidst the thrusting, Ray had come close.
Too close.
Even caster was unable to move fast enough to dodge the incoming strike from Ray's left fist. It hit the legacy squarely on the solar plexus, knocking the air out of him, while also pushing him back a couple of meters.
The move Ray had used was one of the many that were left behind by his mother. It was a technique normally used with a one-handed spear along with a side weapon. Though, in Ray's case, it also worked with a two-handed spear, like the Xyston.
All of it was mostly about perception and deception. The user would use the spear to create an onslaught that would seemingly try to strike a fast enemy. What they did, though, was merely to deceit the depth perception of the enemy.
Through the focused concentration on the tip, most people or creatures would fail to notice the ever nearing hand, or in this case hands, along the shaft of the spear.
When the distance had been breached, came the finishing move. Normally brought by a short sword, or something similar, directed at a vital point. In this case, a well-placed punch was more than enough to express his opinion, though.
Seeing the other guy still on the ground, kneeling, and hunching over, Ray dismissed his [Oblivion's Thread], which had taken the form of the Xyston, and approached him.
Having been completely breathless for the past few seconds, Caster only noticed Ray standing over himself, when it was already too late.
Ray harshly grabbed the legacy's hair, and used it to lift his face up, to make Caster look at him.
As he stood there, Caster's hair in his left hand, and hovering over the young man, his expression seemed nearly calm, though, only if there hadn't been a small glint in his eyes, which revealed his actual intentions.
Before he could do anything further, though, there was once more an interruption.
"What happened?!"
'There seems to be a pattern here…' Ray grumbled inwardly in annoyance, before turning to the newly arrived spectators. All of whom had their weapons drawn, and looked alert. Kai was even already airborne, and scanned the surroundings.
Ray looked at the person who had just asked the question. Nephis, of course. Put on a friendly expression, and responded, "Ah, nothing much. Caster here, simply asked me for a short spar. He seemed to underestimate me though. So, everything is alright, isn't it, Caster?"
"*cough* ...yes, its as he says. We just sparred, and I lost." the still kneeling young man added, also putting on a calmer expression.
"...alright. Don't go too far, we need to be all in top condition for the rest of the journey." The silver-haired young woman added, while giving Ray a pointed look, before unsummoning her sword, and going back, along with the others.
Though, Effie and Kai lingered for a moment longer, but headed back to their spots too, after that.
As soon as everyone turned their backs towards them, the smiles on their faces vanished, and Ray leaned down once more, coming close to Caster's ear, "If you say even one word, I will first tell them what you are here for, before finishing you off myself. Trust me, this time I spared your life. This happens only once, though, for everyone. Have you understood this?"
Ray's voice wasn't any louder than a simply whisper, but to Caster it sounded demonic. Maybe it actually did, its owner didn't care for it right now, and did not pay any attention to it.
"...have you understood what I just said?" he repeated one last time.
"...yes."
"Good. Then, from now on, until the rest of this journey, don't initiate any more conversations with me." having said his last bits, the 'devil' let Caster's hair go, took his stuff, and looked for a peaceful spot to calm himself down again.
Still remaining on the same spot, Caster's back was utterly drenched in cold sweat. He had been trained to hunt, and kill nightmare creatures, monsters, as most also called them, but never had he felt an amount of fear that came even close to what he had just been through.
In that moment, there was only fear and despair on his mind. Now, there was also a handful humiliation and rage mixed within, but the prior two still heavily outweighed the latter two.
---
Calming his mind took him about five minutes, after that, Ray decided to be a bit closer to the others, not wanting anything else extreme to happen for the duration of their rest days here.
He opted for a place, slightly to the side that was still close to Kai. It seemed the archer was still not fully integrated into their faction, after having been a somewhat member of the host, for so long.
Kai noticed him immediately, threw him a look between concern and slight interest, and upon receiving an accepting look from Ray, stood up and walked over. Effie also noticed this, from her spot closer to the campfire, and followed.
A few moments later Kai stood there in front of him, while Effie was still trailing over.
"What happened? This didn't seem like you. More like… like what happened in the castle that one time. Did Caster say something?" his charming friend tried to reason.
Ray could merely shrug his shoulders, "Yes, and no. He indeed said something which triggered something in me, but about it not being like me…" at that point, he looked both, Kai, and the just arrived Effie, deep into their eyes, one after the other, "I'm not so sure, about that part anymore. For some reason I always feel on edge these past few months, whenever I'm not alone. I can't fully describe it."
"Come on, where has your fire gone? Those snappy responses, when you wanted to crash at my place, immediately after arriving, and so much more. Those things were too genuine, to not be you. Though… I agree that this place changes you." Effie added, trying to lighten the mood, at least somewhat.
Following that, Kai jumped in too, "And even if you change, we will still be hear, right, Effie?"
Ending the question with a radiant smile, directed at Effie, she seemed stunned for a second, by the sheer radiance of said smile, before nodding in agreement.
"That's damn right. You won't be getting rid of us this easily."
Ray's face changed to a genuine smile now, "Thanks, you guys. Really. It means a lot to me."
None of them had even noticed that Kai seemed to have for once put his overly polite attitude down, and actually addressed Effie by her nickname. Not even the charming archer himself, had noticed.
-x-
Okay, there are two points i want to ask you all about.
1. Do you prefer the name of the clan i gave, or would you rather it be named Aethelgard? Those would be the names i had prepared for it. They more or less fit the best with the theme i want for it.
2. The name Ray, was something i chose on a whim, when i started. Before, i even used the name Kai, due to momentarily even forgetting our dearest charming archer. Now though, where i found a good alternate, it is already very late. The question i have, is; Should i change it in the previous chapter, Go with it from here on, or simply leave it be?
Thank you all for reading my story ;)