Akiol sheathed his sword, "I think that's sufficient enough."
Nimin's concentration faltered, "W-What?"
"This isn't some fight to the death, no need to take it so seriously. I think I proved my strength?"
Hundred sighed in relief, "I agree, let's end it here."
"I thought you were going to destroy our house Guild Leader." joked Fare.
Nimin lowered his spear, "Alright. . . I guess?"
Mira was a bit disappointed, he wanted the battle to go on so he could watch. Givale whispered, "Very few make Akiol serious. When he was, he beat a full grown dragon!"
As if reigniting the just fading excitement, Mira's eye lit up. The thought of Akiol managing to beat a dragon was incredibly exciting, even if Givale failed to mention the more important details.
Para shrugged, "The ending of the fight was anticlimactic, but I also appreciate the sparing of our home."
Akiol laughed faintly, "My apologies, but I didn't come along to put on a show."
~ ~ ~
"Miss!"
An elegantly dressed lady looked towards the source of the voice. A voice capable of charming those who hear it flowed across the room, "What is it?"
"We've spotted another."
"Oh what wonderful news. Do go on."
"A Pugilist has appeared, his strength is quite clearly among the top."
"His Star?"
"First, just as you requested."
"Splendid, I had thought everyone of worth was taken already. To think someone besides that man would still be around! Are you sure he's enough?"
"He has gained recognition among the Forever Ones. If you request I shall send someone to test his strength."
"I'd rather not have to deal with some insufficient underling handle such a delicate task, lest they screw it up."
"Then your orders?"
"Hmm. . ."
A sly smile formed on the woman's lips, "You go, test him thoroughly. If he matches the requirements don't hesitate to bring him to me."
"When will you like this task to be completed?"
"Do it thoroughly, at this phase we cannot afford mistakes. Take your time, as much as you need."
"Then I shall complete it in two weeks!"
"Excellent, I do hope your words hold true. There might just be a reward in it for you if it is."
"I will not disappoint!"
The messenger vanished without an afterimage. The woman returned back to her original position. With a flick of her fingers a picture created by magic appeared, "Nimin of Dusted Bright. You will be the final step to my ascension."
~ ~ ~
"It sucks being broke!"
Jarvis shrugged, "Honestly it gives us a chance to explore everything, who knows what you might miss when you teleport everywhere."
Yielya made a face, "I guess, but my goal isn't to explore."
"What exactly is your goal?", Kiro asked.
"I'm searching for information about the Calamity of Goju."
"The Calamity of Goju?"
"All I know is that it's an Origin Creature."
"An Origin as a Calamity?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Tilting her head Kiro asked, "Could you explain?"
"Does the idea of an Origin Creature being a Calamity seem like a bad thing?"
"Oh! That's not exactly what I meant. Instead the Origins are supposed to be incredibly powerful and sentient beings. Being the first of its kind. They usually don't interfere with anything that occurs. So I thought it was strange that one would be considered a Calamity."
Jarvis queried, "You seem to know about the Origin Creatures, mind sharing?"
With a devious wink Kiro replied, "For a price."
"We're flat broke.", Yielya mentioned.
Pondering for a moment Jarvis pulled out a jar from his bag. Kiro eyed it and pushed for more, "One jar isn't enough for information of this category."
With a shake of his head Jarvis handed it over, "This isn't the same, a prototype if you will. Give it a taste and let me know if it's enough."
This caught Kiro's interest as she accepted the jar. Popping the cork off she sniffed the contents, "Oho?"
A powerful alcoholic smell spread from the jar, as if entering a bar full of drunkards. Yielya questioned this, "Aren't you a bit young?"
Jarvis eased Yielya's worries with a gesture while keeping his attention on Kiro's expression.
She sipped the jar and closed her eyes, savoring the taste. A satisfied sigh escaped her lips, "Oh this is great stuff."
"Is it enough?"
Kiro put the cork back on and handed it back, "More than needed, something like this could solve your money issues easily. For what I think the information's worth, this is too much for payment."
Yielya snorted, "You're honest aren't you?"
Kiro scrunched up her nose, "I can appreciate some good alcohol when I see it. I'm physically fighting myself on giving this back."
Not accepting the jar back Jarvis offered, "Then let the rest be a down payment on your guide fees."
"No refunds!", Kiro waved the jar and it turned into a puff of smoke. Leaning back she began to explain, "First of all, they aren't Origin 'Creatures'. They're Origins, often referred to as 'The First'. Such as The First Golem, and so on. Many of the Origins died, simply due to how old they were. Very few remain to this day."
Jarvis pulled out the feather, "Such as the Phoenix?"
Kiro's eyes widened upon seeing the feather, "That's-!"
She sighed, "You grow stranger by the minute Mister! The First Phoenix is one of the few, a being of rebirth would never truly die."
Turning her head Yielya hypothesized, "So the Calamity we are searching for could be dead?"
"There is a possibility, however the Origin never really dies."
"What?"
"I actually don't know anything more on that subject, all I know is that even if an Origin is dead, its somehow not gone."
"That doesn't make much sense."
"I'm aware, I think it's some sort of inheritance. Those worthy of the same species would inherit the Origin title, and most likely gain strength accordingly. But I could be wrong on this."
Yielya digested the info before prodding, "So what does this have to do with the Calamity?"
"This is where I think things get strange. The Origins aren't chaotic at all. They're omniscient beings, why would they cause chaos to be called a Calamity? This gave me two theories. First, someone angered a Calamity which caused a lot of damage. Or the Calamity isn't an Origin at all."
"Does this info go for the other side of the continent?", Jarvis asked.
Shrugging, Kiro answered, "No idea what's on the other side, never went over there. Apparently there are some issues, and leaving that side is quite difficult."
"Issues?"
"Word about some tyrannical ruler."
Yielya shook her head, "That never goes well."
"The word around Doru was that she's a Third Star fighter. Many wouldn't dare go against someone of that caliber. Moreover she's backed by some Fourth Star, preventing the stronger ones from even crossing her path."
"Harsh, how long has that been going on?"
"Years, it only recently started growing worse."
Yielya took a moment to ponder through the newfound info. Her thoughts were interrupted by a question from Kiro.
"Is there any information on what the Calamity caused?"
"Besides basic Calamity stuff, nothing specific. Why?"
"In that case never mind."
"Well-"
Loni suddenly appeared on Jarvis' shoulder, "Oi, we have some company."
"How many?"
"I don't know."
"How troublesome, Kiro take cover."
Doing as ordered Kiro slid off of Go and crouched behind the bug, "What's going on?"
Yielya had heard the conversation between Jarvis and Loni, "Seems like trouble has arrived. Any idea on who it might be?"
Kiro smacked her lips, "Bandits then, be careful! Thankfully we aren't part of some large group, so it should only be a few!"
A bandit came into view, "Hey! Are you calling us small?!"
A handful more appeared, surrounding the group. Jarvis clicked his tongue, "Kiro, you would be safer inside Go."
"I'm fine out here, as long as they don't get close."
"No, trust me on this."
Kiro frowned, not sure what exactly Jarvis meant. Still she followed his words and climbed back into Go.
A bandit raised a drawn bow, "Don't move! Hand over your valuables and we'll let you go with your lives!"
Jarvis reached back, "Alright alright, let's not be hasty."
Grabbing a bit of moss he tossed it into the air.
Tring~
Yielya slid into the back of Go, as Niro rapidly scurried off. The bandit let loose an arrow, and it flew by harmlessly, "That was a warning! Get off the. . . whatever that is and give us your valuables!"
Jarvis reached forward, "My bad, this little guy gets a tad crazy if not watched. I just didn't want him to hurt anyone you know?"
The bandits threw looks at each other, it was then Jarvis touched Go's antennae. The bug shook violently and took of at an incredible speed. A cloud of dust rose above where they once were. The bandits began to cough as they breathed in the dust, their eyesight hindered.
As the dust settled the head bandit searched the area. With a scowl he threw his weapon onto the ground, "You morons! You let them escape! Get the horses!"