-Black Bulls Base-
It had already been midday as most of everyone had been either helping out around the base or some were out and away on a mission. Though throughout most of the day it had been normal for everyone in the base. Well mostly normal. Vandy and Jubei looked oddly nervous as they were trying to keep their cool as they helped sweep the floor. They watched as Yami took care of Adrien while he whimpered from trying to move his leg as he held onto the pouch that Prism used to carry him with.
Yami told the raptor as Adrien had been trying to move away from the eel he was trying to feed him, "Come on, don't be stubborn. Kid said you gotta eat this to get your strength back up."
Adrien merely huffed as he moved his body to turn his back from him.
"You're trying me, Lizard." Yami growled. "Hold still."
Adrien let out a surprised noise when Yami started to open up his jaw; he nearly gagged when the eel was shoved down his throat causing him to gag. "Down the hatch." He said as he closed his jaw to get him to swallow.
"Maybe we should tell him?" Vandy asked.
"No way!" Jubei whispered, "If we say something he's gonna kill her, then bring her back just to do it again!"
"This isn't like not telling her parents now Jubei!" Vandy argued, "She's basically the whole future of Clover, in other words the Captain's responsibility. And you know what happens when Prism gets sick." He soon shivered, "I don't think I can deal with the Boogeyman again."
Jubei soon told Vandy, "Neither can I bro so ixnay on the sick-ay!"
"Ixnay on what now?"
The siblings shrieked when they saw Yami had been right in front of them; Jubei couldn't help but jump in Vandy's arms as they possessed a fearful look.
"H-Hey! Uncle Yami!" Vandy said, "W-We were just sweeping the floors and talking about uh--"
"Making a birthday cake for Pluck!" Jubei said, "And uh--Planning a surprise party for Prism! She LOVES surprise parties!"
"Yeah! We figured we would make it the biggest surprise party for her, you know--" Vandy said, "--And oh yeah! Pluck loves that layered cake! He's not big on surprise parties!"
Yami gave the two of them a look as they started to sweat. He told them, "A surprise party for Prism? Wanna tell me what's that about?"
"U-Uh, well--" Vandy said, "--W-We uh--"
Jubei soon stammered as she replied, "--Prank? Y-yeah! She used to love messing with Pluck back home so--We thought we could pull a prank!"
Vandy and Jubei had a smile on their faces while Yami just gave the two kids a look as they sweated. "... You're not buying this are you?" Vandy asked still with a forced smile.
"Not even in the slightest." He said taking a puff before he asked, "now what's up with the princess?"
"What? Nothings wrong with her, really!" Jubei said still with a forced smile. Though after a few moments of silence Jubei soon caved. "Prism woke up sick this morning." She said rather quickly.
Yami's eyebrow twitched, making the kids jump. "Would you mind stepping outside?" Yami told them.
Neither of the kids didn't hesitate nor backtalk as they made a mad dash out the door, dropping what they were doing. Yami took a deep breath before he put his cigarette down before he said, "Prism--"
His hand shook as he could feel his rage building up. Just as he clenched his fist, Cadfan and Gauche stepped in.
"For the last time, you can't visit your sister now" Cadfan told him.
Gauche had argued, "why not?!"
"You saw her already this week!" Cadfan retorted, "You go on one more visit, you're gonna end up--"
BOOM!
Cadfan and Gauche froze as they could hear the wall collapse; they looked to see a fresh opening in their base as half the wall had been taken out as they could feel the death threatening aura emitting off of him as it made them pale.
"What the--" Cadfan said.
Yami soon shouted "LEAVE!"
Cadfan gulped as he said nervously, "Ye-Yeah, okay, we'll uh--Come back later."
Gauche added as he said while backing up, "Y-Yeah."
With that, Cadfan and Gauche quickly left the room leaving Yami to his thoughts. He soon took out a magic item with what looked to be a diamond with a golden staff as it lit up. "Hey, you've reached the Magic Knights Headquarters, how can I help--Bah-ha?" An oddly familiar voice said.
"Get me a Captain that's available, on the double!"
"Huh?!" He said shocked, "But most of the captains are busy and--"
Yami soon yelled, "NOW!"
"BAH-HUH?!" The man shouted out of confusion.
***
The moment Asta, and the others had met up with the apparent members of the Golden Dawn, they were caught up to speed on the situation at hand. The moment they heard Prism had been sick they were quick to get to work or at least were doing their best.
The group from Golden Dawn, consisting of Yuno himself, Klaus, Mimosa, Fafanar, Morwyn and Arfau were all stricken with worry though they had to do what they could to make sure they were still breathing.
"Plant Recovery Magic--" Mimosa said, uttering a spell, "--Dream Healing Flower Cradle."
In just a few short moments a flower bed soon formed underneath where Prism laid as a set of roots shaped itself in a form of a basket as her breathing had been somewhat labored; Asta, Karasu, Brenin and Saorise looked nervous, especially Asta and even Yuno. The little spirits appeared around her as they seemed to have rested with her on the bed of flowers
"There." Mimosa said, "That should do it."
"Oh man--" Saorise said as her ears flopped slightly, "--I've seen Prism sick but it's never been this bad before."
"I'll say--" Brenin said as his gaze softened, "--It's been awhile since I've felt her in this much agony."
"Here, here." She said with a sigh.
Fafanar asked with worry, "She's gonna be okay, right?"
"There's not much my spell can do with her fever I'm afraid--" Mimosa said, "--But as long as she stays in here, she'll be just fine."
"Damn it Tater-Tot--" Karasu said, "--This is why you should've stayed in the base."
"This is all your fault." Klaus admitted, "If she stayed in and rested, her condition wouldn't have worsened."
Karasu soon gave him a glare, "I'm sorry, MY fault?"
"Whoa, Klaus!" Mowryn said.
"Seriously Four-Eyes. We're playing the blame game?" Arafu asked
"You trying to tell me something here Royal?" Karasu asked as he gave a sneer.
"Only that having a Princess join the worst magic knight squad was a poor choice!" Klaus said.
"You say she's poor at making decisions?" He asked him.
"Klaus!" Fafnar exclaimed. "You don't have to go that far!"
"Stay out of this, Fafanar, you're too young to understand." Klaus told him before he turned back to Karasu, "And as for your thief, maybe someone like you wants the Princess gone."
Karasu growled before his hand formed into a fist, "Keep talking like that and you're gonna be missing a few teeth."
"Oh? Spoken like a true ruffian." Klaus said as he fixed
The look on Karasu's face changed as they could've sworn they saw the bandages underneath his arm moved. Though his arm started to move he used his other hand to grip it as it shook. Though right before Karasu could say something--
"YOU'RE WRONG!" Asta suddenly shouted, surprising them, "Karasu isn't a ruffian at all! He's a really good person! Besides, it's not like he asked to be a thief, he's trying to do everything right by being with the Black Bulls and his sister!"
"Asta--" Karasu said, a bit shocked.
"What?!" Klaus exclaimed
"Woah.."Arafu said in awe.
"He stood up to Four-eyes." Fafnar added
Mimosa couldn't help but say with awe, "Tha-That's impressive."
Yuno had said with a smile, "it's Asta for ya."
"In any case--" Morwyn said, "--We should get her out of the dungeon and have a captain take her to see Owen. If anyone can help, it's that miracle worker."
"Owen?" Asta said, confused.
Morwyn Explained "he's the kingdom's doctor, if anyone can help, it's him!"
Right when she was about to remove the basket along with Arfau, they were shocked when Brenin placed his hand on the basket stopping them. "If we leave here without Liam and without seeing this mission through she'll be heartbroken." Brenin told them, "She needs to be here to see it through till the very last moment."
"Are you serious right now?!" Arfau said in disbelief.
"It's what she told me." Brenin said, "If she wants that then I'll do whatever I can to support her. Even if it's this."
Morwyn soon argued, "but if we stay here any longer we're gonna be in danger!"
"Aw man--" Saorise said, "--Liam and I picked the WORST time to go off and hunt! If only he was here we would have a better time keeping Prism stable!"
The group looked a bit shocked as they turned over to Saorise as they looked shocked. "What did you just say?" Yuno asked, "Can you guys help her?"
"Well--" Brenin said, "--It's a bit risky but as Familiars we can help her by sharing the pain she has. It won't be much, it should stall for time. But it'll only work if all three of us are here."
"Why is it a risk?" Morwyn asked.
"It affects our magic." Brenin replied, "Some of the attacks we produce from it will become unresponsive. It'll return to normal when she recovers. The same would apply for Prism, but since you told me she lost her magic, I don't think it would be an issue."
"Prism lost her magic?!" Saorise exclaimed in confusion.
"I'll explain later." Brenin said.
"Wait, isn't that dangerous for you guys?!" Fafanar asked, "You'll be defenseless right?"
"Even so, it's better then her just laying here in agony." Saorise said, "The least we can do for her is help her, and this is the only way we know how since neither of us know healing spells."
Asta and Yuno looked to Prism as they could hear her let out a groan before they could hear her mumble, "... Mom… Dad… I'm scared… Can't… Find my way… Out…"
"... If we can get Liam here--" Asta said, "--Then, she'll be able to wake up, right?"
"She should." Brenin replied, "Why?"
Asta had a look of determination as he said, "Perfect! All the more reason to push on!" He soon looked to Saorise, "Can you tell me where he is exactly?"
Saorise replied just shocked, "--Just go through the corridor Glasses and his friends came through. Then all you have to do is follow the marks we made."
"Got it!" Asta said. Much to everyones--Expecting Yuno's surprise, he suddenly ran towards the entryway Yuno and the others had gone through with his sword over his shoulder.
"LOOK AFTER HER FOR ME, I'LL BE BACK!" Asta yelled as he didn't even look back.
"Wait a minute!" Saorise exclaimed, "Liam doesn't--" She couldn't help but groan as she ran her hand through her hair, "--Ana latta as me!"
"H-hey!" Klaus shouted "Don't run off on your own!"
"Klaus, Mimosa--" Yuno soon said as he manifested a spiral of wind using it to make himself float, "--I'm leaving Prism to you."
"Yuno!" Klaus said shocked.
Before Klaus could stop him, Yuno soon took off in the direction where Asta had gone as he followed down in the hall.
"Arafau, Morwyn." Fadfnar said as his siblings looked with determination in his eyes, "Let's go."
Arafau and Morwyn gave an agreeing grunt as they ran ahead before the others could react.
"NOT YOU THREE TOO!" Klaus shouted, he soon sighed as he said "Why..today out of all days they decide to be reckless.."
"Sorry, but I'm gonna piss you off more." Karasu told Klaus before he went and followed posthaste, shocking Klaus and Mimosa. He took a leap as he was able to reach the entryway as he cringed slightly when he landed on his right ankle. Though he was able to maintain composure as he started to move.
"O-Oh my." Mimosa said in awe.
Klaus couldn't help but teeth before he groaned, "What is with these damn amateurs?"
"Let's focus on keeping Prism warm." Brenin told Saorise, "Can you shift?"
Saorise nodded, "I wasn't injured earlier."
"Good." Brenin said, before he removed his grimoire attached to his waist as he handed it to Klaus much to his own shock, "Hold this for me."
Klaus said in shock, "WHAT?!"
Before Klaus and Mimosa's very eyes Brenin's body glowed a dark purple glow as they could see a set of vines covered in thorns as he soon got on all fours; in a matter of moments just as the thorns moved across his body he became a familiar red furred irish wolfhound dog.
Saorise's hands seemed to have produced what appeared to be clay as it to move on its own as her body, right down to her clothes became engulfed; even the horns on her head became a bit longer and more curved as the next thing they knew just as it had gotten to her back legs, she became a ram--A golden ram to be precise; hooves in all, even right down to her eyes, though they had a magenta shade.
"Unbelievable--" Klaus said astonished.
"--So--These are Shifters." Mimosa said in awe.
Brenin soon hopped up onto the flowerbed as did Saorise as he helped her to climb in. They carefully adjusted Prism and said that her head had been against Saorise's stomach like it had been a pillow while Brenin settled himself next to her as he curled his long tail around her. Saorise laid her head against her shoulder as she was being careful with her horns.
"This is amazing." Mimosa said, "I've only read about Shifters like them, but to see them actually turn into an animal in person--It really is incredible!"
Klaus couldn't help but say as he fixed his glasses, "well as long as the princess is safe, this is fine."
Soon they heard the sound of screaming along with a spell--
"SWORD CREATION MAGIC, DYNAMITE BREAKER!"
They were taken back by the sound of an explosion as Klaus had been quick to make a steel wall with the help of his grimoire. They soon heard a voice through the dust cloud, "PRISM YOU DUMMY! WHAT WERE YOU DOING?!"
"Who is that?" Mimosa asked.
Just as the dust cloud cleared, they saw a familiar looking teen as he looked to be out of breath and his expression filled with panic. The young man--Pluck yelled as he held his sword high in the air, "SERIOUSLY ARE YOU TRYING TO CAUSE TROUBLE FOR US!?"
"Oh--" Klaus said while making a face, "--It's just Pluck."
"Pluck?" Mimosa said, "You mean Fafanar's friend?"
A familiar periwinkle haired girl--Noelle stepped through making a face, "Uh--You do know that there was a door here right? There was no need for you to break down the wall."
An older woman--Yukiko added as she stepped in, as she had been holding a duck, "Pluck that was dangerous, some of the debris could have hit Noelle or Addeline had it not been for her stick."
"Quack!" Addeline added.
Pluck said sheepishly as he put away his sword, "Oh sorry."
Noelle commented, "You should think before you use it blindly."
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Pluck said to her, rolling his eyes. "It's my grimoire after a--"
He soon let out a screech as Yukiko started to pinch his ears, "Be nicer young man, or did you just magically forget our conversation from earlier?" Yukiko said in a threatening tone of voice.
Pluck replied as he sweated, "N-No ma'am."
"Oh, it's Noelle!" Mimosa immediately recognized her, as she had drawn their attention.
"Mimosa?" Noelle said a bit surprised, "What are you--"
They soon noticed a familiar silver-haired girl in a flower bed as they could see a dog and a golden ram in the flowerbed with her.
"The Princess?!" Noelle exclaimed in shock.
"Prism?!" Yukiko exclaimed.
"W-what happened?!" Pluck exclaimed.
Much to Klaus and Mimosa's own shock, Pluck had suddenly been in front of the makeshift basket as he started to look all around it, even scaring the Spirits that now laid on top of Brenin and Saorise. Pluck exclaimed as he did this, "Oh no! What the hell happened to you!? Were you hit!? I told you not to run ahead of us you stupid--wait, Why do you have Asta's band!? And is that Saorise with--"
Before Pluck could finish, most jumped when Saorise headbutted him right in the stomach making him gag; as he fell to his knees, she resumed her position on Prism as she adjusted herself.
"Where did that ram come from!?" Noelle exclaimed.
Pluck said with a groan, "Saorise...why did you do that?"
Saoirse let out a bleat much to Pluck's dismay.
"QUACK!" Addeline shouted as she ran up and bonked her with her stick--At least that's how it would've played out if she hadn't grabbed a hold of her stick and tossed it to Yukiko with Addeline still holding on.
"Addeline, be nice to Saorise." Yukiko told her
"She's Saorise?!" Noelle said shocked, "Wait--Where's Dorksta and Karasu? I thought they were with her!"
"Dorksta?" Pluck said "and you wonder why i call you stupid Silva." Yukiko soon pinched Pluck's ear as he let out another screech. "OKAY, OKAY, I'M SORRY!" He yelled.
"They ran ahead to find someone named Liam." Mimosa told them.
"Liam is nearby?" Yukiko said, shocked.
Pluck soon exclaimed, "AND YOU SAID ASTA CHARGED IN?! Oh man, not good! And even after we gave him a warning--"
"What do you mean?" Klaus asked as he noticed his tone, "What warning?"
***
The minute Asta had entered the hall he immediately started to look for the marks that Prism had talked about. Though it had been dark in the halls he had difficulty finding it, even when his eyes had adjusted. He started to feel along the walls as he walked slowly and carefully, being careful not to trip. It hadn't been long since I felt a scratch along the stone. He saw what looked to be the letter X, as it had been carved into the stone.
"Bingo!" Asta said.
"Asta!"
Asta jumped and was about to attack, though he immediately calmed down when he saw it had been Yuno, along with Fafanar, Karasu, Fafanar, Arfau and Morwyn. "Geez, you scared me!" Asta said as he calmed down.
"You and that tater-tot always liked to rush ahead." Karasu said.
"Sorry, but look--" Asta said as he showed them, "--I found the mark that Saorise was talking about!"
Fafanar had said with a smile, "Perfect timing too!"
"I guess one of them must've made this." Morwyn said, "That's pretty smart of them."
Arfau had said with a smile, "This is too easy!"
"Come on!" Asta said, "He must be this way!"
"Asta!" Karasu said as he gripped his arm, "Did you forget how Prism and Brenin told you and I that Liam hates humans? He could really kill us ya know."
Asta flinched a little as he started to shake, "Oh man, I completely forgot about that!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU FORGOT!?" Karasu shouted.
"Uh---" Morwyn said, "--What was that now?"
"What was that about Liam?" Arfau asked.
"The Tater-Tot and the mutt warned us that Liam isn't as nice as him and that ram girl is." Karasu said, "Translation--When he sees us, he's gonna want to kill us."
At this Fafanar, Morwyn and Arfau's faces paled as they started to shake at the very thought.
"Kill us?!" Arafau exclaimed.
"Uhh Asta, are you sure this is smart?" Morwyn asked.
"It'll be fine!" Asta replied with a smile, "He's Prism's friend after all! And as long as we let him know we're her friends then I'm sure he'll listen!"
"You're… VERY optimistic." Karasu said just plain shocked.
"Somehow that's reassuring.." Fafanar said
"What happens if he decides he doesn't want to listen?" Morwyn asked.
"I'll make him listen then!" Asta said.
"You're making me VERY nervous here." Arfau said.
Yuno soon told them in reassurance, "If Asta said he can get him to listen, then he'll get him to listen."
"Exactly!" Asta said as he started to go down the hall as he looked for more of the marks. They managed to find one or two more marks as they journeyed further down the hall. "We're getting close!" Fafanar said, as his hand had been along the wall, "I found another mark!"
"Don't sound so excited!" Morwyn scolded, "It's a matter of life and death now!"
"Come on! I could be making a new best friend right now!" Fafanar said, "Well aside from all the death and all, I kind of want to meet him!"
"You're asking for a death wish at this rate.." Arafau said "reconsider, Faf."
"Is there something wrong with your brother?" Karasu couldn't help but ask, "Did he not hear what I told him?"
"He did." The siblings replied, making him flinch.
It hadn't been long before they looked to black smoke that had made their eyes start to water and they started to cough. "What the heck!?" Asta said as he coughed, "What's all this smoke!?"
"Ow my eyes!" Fafanar exclaimed, "It's watering!"
"It's coming from over there." Yuno said as he quickly made a wind barrier for all of them.
Each of them followed the smoke down the hall until they spotted an opening. When they reached it, the target could see the smoke had gotten a bit more aggressive. When they had reached the opening they found what looked to be a beast of some kind on the ground. Its whole body had been burned and charred; they could see what looked to be blue flames around it as they could see it had been along the creature's legs and feet.
"What the heck is all of this?!" Morwyn exclaimed.
They each leapt down and onto the ground to take a better look at the scenery; they could see the creature had once been a boar much larger than the ones they had faced in the forest. They had assumed the beast had once been a creature from within the dungeon.
"I'm guessing this is one of the tater-tot Familiar's handiwork?" Karasu said.
"Are these flames blue?" Arfau said.
Fafanar put his hand over the flame as he shivered suddenly, "Huh--That's weird. I thought fire was supposed to be warm. It kind of feels cold."
Asta put his hand over the flame, "You're right--I didn't even think a flame could get cold."
"This kind of magic--" Yuno said, "--Is it--"
"Well would you look at you--Waltzing in here like you own the place."
The group had been taken back when they heard a new voice; though it hadn't been long before Asta had found himself being lifted up off the ground so easily, shocking most.
"You've got a lot of nerve for being so damn confident--HUMAN SCUM!"
Asta let out a scream as he was tossed across the room. "SERIOUSLY!?" Asta exclaimed.
Yuno had been quick to catch him as he used his wind magic to cushion his fall. Before Fafanar or his siblings or Karasu could see what had thrown him, they too found themselves flying as they were each hit by a brute force that moved so fast it left a trail of blue flames.
"STAR MAGIC--SHOOTING STAR DASH!" her body began to glow in pink starlight as she made a mad dash to save her siblings the moment she hit the floor. She was able to catch them with ease while Asta caught Karasu.
"What the hell just hit us?!" Karasu exclaimed.
"That would be me, trash!"
The group looked over as they caught sight of what walked through the wall of blue flames. They saw it had been a young teen who had been fifteen looking as tall as Asta and Prism. He had moppy navy blue hair that had been ragged and messy as it looked like it hadn't been washed as of recently. His eyes were of sapphire blue. He had on a dark gray hakama robe as he had a brown band with a wave design wrapped in the middle. He had on a set of brown pants as he had on a set of dark blue tights with blue and white ankle high boots.
The left side of his arm didn't bore a sleeve as they could see the muscle definition along it; he wore a silver arm brace as there looked to be armor wrapped around it as underneath it there had been a blue arm sleeve. His right arm had a sleeve to cover his shoulder as there looked to be a shoulder brace with a golden vine design sewn into it; at least that's what they could see from underneath the makeshift cloak he had worn which was similar to what Saorise had worn. His right arm consisted of a glove that only revealed his index and thumb.
Around his neck he had worn what looked to be a scarf as it had been in the shade of aqua green shade as they could see he bore a scar along his bare chest underneath the hakama robe he wore. Upon his head he had a set of blue ears resembling a wolf they could see on his forehead he had a pair of antlers, though they looked too small for anyone to tell.
He soon spoke with a grin, as they could see his shark teeth grin, "Okay then filth--Who's first?"
"He must be Liam!" Fafanar whispered as his eyes sparkled.
"Ya think!?" Karasu said with sarcasm.
"He-Hey there!" Asta said, "We're just--"
Morwyn growled before she got her grimoire as she asked "Filth huh? Star Magic-Cracked Fist Volley!" as her hands glowed before she hurled a volley of fists at Liam.
"Morwyn wait!" Yuno exclaimed.
The boy--Liam's grin grew wider as his hands seemed to have generated a set of blue flames. He hurled them to the ground as right before there very eyes he manifested a whole dome of the flames, as it blocked all of Morwyn's attacks.
Morwyn exclaimed out of shock, "what the--?!"
"That was a pretty neat trick you got there--" They could hear Liam say in the dome. She suddenly saw Liam come through as she could see the set of flames had manifested at the bottom of his feet as he rocketed towards her. She had been taken back when he grabbed a hold of her.
"--But that little trick ain't worth my time!" Liam said, as he took hold of her waist, "NOW SLEEP IN THE DIRT WHERE YOU BELONG!"
Much to their own shock he supplexed Morwyn with his left arm hooked; the moment he slammed her into the ground she had been knocked out instantly.
"Morwyn!" Arfau exclaimed.
"He took her out just like that!?" Karasu exclaimed.
"Without a grimoire?!" Yuno said, shocked.
"Who's next to the plate!?" Liam said as he still held his smile.
"Wait, we don't want to fight!" Asta started to say, "We just--"
Arfau soon shouted, "you--" He soon had gotten out his grimoire as it glowed light green "ARMS MAGIC--
FRIZZ ROD!"
Arfau soon charged as he pulled out what appears to be a rod as it bregn to create orange flames before he hurled it at Liam. Liam only chuckled before he had taken out a set of sickles and sliced the rod instantly as they had become alight with blue flames.
"Oh, come on!" Liam said, "You're not even trying!"
"CAN I JUST GET A WORD!?" Asta exclaimed.
Arfau had yelled, "after we take care of this guy!"
"BUT--" Asta started to argue before Arfau charged at Liam again.
Arfau yelled as he manifested another rod, "TAKE THIS! CRACKLE ROD!" this time the rod emitted a misty ice as he slammed it on the ground as the misty ice headed towards Liam. All Liam did was jump, as his feet produced a burst of flames allowing him to flip over Arfau with ease.
"Like that would work on me--!" Liam said, allowing a burst of flames to emit from his left foot. He flew towards him and kicked him right in the head, "--Don't think an ametaur like you can beat a warrior like me!" They saw Arfau hit the ground hard as he had been twitching slightly.
"Bro!" Fafanar exclaimed.
"He's using his flames to move around quicker--" Karasu said, "--Not gonna lie, that's pretty clever."
"Is that all you got?!" Liam said, "At this rate you're gonna bore me to death!"
"Maybe.." Fafnar said before he had an idea. "Dragon's magic--Dragon flame armor!" he clacked iojn himself in a purple flame surrounding his body as he got ready with his fists as it took most of them back. Fafanar said with pride, "Now we have a level playing field!"
Liam couldn't help but laugh, "What the hell kind of a costume is that?! I've dealt with Bandits with more class then you!"
"Hang on, we just--!" Asta started to say before Fafanar began to charge at him with a battle cry.
Liam chuckled before he said, "Too easy."
With a turn of a handle and a click the sickles he held suddenly extended as they could see a set of chains attached to them.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Asta and even Fafanar yelled.
Liam spun the rope of chains before he tossed the left sickle at Fafanar's feet causing him to jump, although--
"FOOLED YA!" Liam yelled as he tossed the other one at Fafanar's head as it was able to hit him dead center. Fafanar screamed as he spun in the air before he landed on the ground face first.
"Are you okay!?" Yuno exclaimed to Fafanar.
Fafanar said in a daze as his body twitched, "Barely."
"You should be grateful that your friends put up a fight trash!" Liam said.
"Damn it--" Karasu said as he was ready to draw his sword though he was stopped by Asta, "What the hell are you doing?!"
"Look, just trust me!" Asta said before he stepped forward, "He-Hey, we're not here to--"
Asta froze up a little as Liam retracted the chains as they connected back to the handles. "Don't worry--" Liam said as brushed the blades together causing them to spark, "I ain't gonna kill you, not yet at least--" He soon started to step forward, setting his sights towards Asta, "--I'll only scare you off enough, so that you and your buddies will leave us alone and to never lay a hand on that treasure!"
Just as Fafanar and his siblings recovered, Liam charged at Asta with his sickles in hand, ready to take a terrified Asta down. Yuno readied himself as did the others when they saw that Asta didn't guard up with his sword to block.
Much to their own surprise, Asta took a deep breath and shut his eyes before--
"YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH A GIRL NAMED PRISM AURORA CLOVER, RIGHT?!"
Asta didn't feel an impact or anything like that. When he opened his eyes, he saw that the sickle blade had stopped just centimeters from his neck as Liam gave him an odd look; at that point everyone froze.
"... Why did I just hear her name off of your disgusting mouth trash?" Liam asked him as he didn't move, not even so much as flinch.
Asta gulped before he took his opportunity to speak, "Why would I huh? Just think it over and--"
"Thought about it. Don't know." Liam said immediately, making Asta freeze as his sharktooth grin returned, "Maybe beating it out will make me feel better."
"DON'T JUST JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS LIKE THAT!" Asta yelled, "HEAR US OUT LEAST YOU JERK!"
Yuno soon said to Liam as he stepped forward, "He's friends with Prism Aurora Clover. And I am too."
The ear on Liam's head twitched slightly, before he noticed something. "Wait--" He said. He sheathed his sickles before he took hold of Asta and Yuno suddenly; they both jumped when he had started to sniff at the side of their necks.
Morwyn shouted as her jaw dropped, "WHAT IS HE--?!"
Arfau yelled as he flailed his arms, "WHY IS HE SNIFFING THEM?!"
Fafanar commented as his eyes sparkled, "wow, it's just like a wolf!"
"Oh my God…" Karasu said as he slapped himself in the face.
Liam soon pulled back as he had still held his glare, "Aside from that stench, I can smell her off of you."
"HEY I DON'T SMELL!" Asta yelled as he felt offended.
"All humans stink loudmouth--" Liam told him, "--You just don't smell it."
Asta shouted as he raised his fist at him, "EXCUSE ME! I WASH MY BODY DAILY!"
"Not my point trash." Liam said, making Asta growl before another thought came over him, "Wait--If you know Prism, then that means--" He soon gave them a look, "--Don't tell me you two were the ones that found her tree?"
"As a matter of fact we did!" Asta said.
Yuno added, "we're the ones that found her in the Wandering Mist."
Liam looked them over again as he appeared to be reading them through their facial expressions; he soon looked over them as he eyed their robes and the insignia which they bore. "I don't recognize those marks--" Liam admitted as he started to circle Asta and Yuno, "--But now that I got a better look at you, you don't look at any Hunter I've seen. You're obviously not Bandits, you dress way too nicely even by their standards. And you don't smell like the human's from Zeid's Royal Court that were chasing us down. So--" He soon stopped, his look turned into that of a sneer, "--Who the hell are you?"
Asta soon said as he bore a smile, while he had his sword over his shoulder, "My name is Asta, and we're Magic Knights! We're here to rescue you and Saorise!"
Liam's look soon turned into that of confusion as he gave a quizzical look, "What in the name of the Pit is a Magic Knight?"
"Oh yeah--" Asta said sheepishly, "--You don't know what that is…"
"We basically help people and go to places like this." Fafnar added.
"Also--" Morwyn said before she shouted at Liam, "--YOU WERE REALLY GOING TO KILL US!? DO YOU REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THAT--"
"Don't stand that close to me--" Liam said as he pushed her away from him, "--I can smell your breath."
Morwyn yelled as her face heated up with embarrassment, "WHAT?! YOU--STAR MAGIC CRACK--"
Fafanar and Arfau quickly held her back as Arfau said while patting her head, "There there sis, there, there!"
"Remember your breathing!" Fafanar said.
Morwyn said as she took deep breaths, "Serenity now, serenity now!"
"Listen!" Asta soon said, "We need your help! Prism is just near here! She's really sick and--"
Liam's eyes widened slightly as he looked a bit angry, "And you let her come in this place!?"
"HEY SHE DIDN'T TELL ME SHE WAS SICK EITHER!! AND I'M MORE WORRIED ABOUT HER THEN I ALREADY AM!" Asta yelled before he calmed down, "Look, the point is--Saorise told us you guys can help her! But they can't do anything unless you're there!"
Liam couldn't help but let out a groan as he ruffled his hair, "That damn idiot--!" Liam said, "--She knows how her body can't handle a damn cold! Why would she come here?!"
Asta couldn't help but give him a look, as it looked to be a look of surprise. "... Why else? You're Prism's family aren't you?"
Liam looked a bit shocked by this sort of thing. "She talked about you alot you know?" Asta said, "I can tell how much she loves you and the others. She came here because she was worried about you and she really wanted to see you. That's why she had to keep the fact that she got sick."
"O-oh is that so." Arafau said nervously.
"So--" Asta soon said, making Liam jump when he was in front of his face, "--If you don't mind, could please help her out!?"
Liam couldn't help but let out a growl as he shoved Asta from him. "Hang on a damn minute--" Liam said, "--I don't really get what's going on, or what a Magic Knave is or whatever, but how do I know I can trust you even if you did save Prism from that tree!"
"She stayed in our village." Yuno replied, "For six months we kept her safe, and we made sure no one knew about her, even the people that stayed with us in the Church."
"A Church?" Liam said, a bit shocked.
"She--" Asta soon said, "--We ended up finding out something she didn't want us to know, after someone tried to take her."
Liam's eyes widened slightly and realization as he knew instantly what Asta had been talking about. "... You know who she is?" He asked with disbelief.
Asta nodded, "She told us about her gift too. The one that she got when a Spirit saved her. We didn't tell anyone and--We even made a promise!" He soon had a smile, "We promised that no matter what happens we would keep her safe!"
Liam looked to be processing this sort of thing till he was drawn to the attention by Nero as she sat on his shoulder. His look seemed to have changed when she tweeted in his ear, like she had been talking to him. At this his posture and even expression changed slightly.
"Okay--" He said after a sigh, "--But if you're lying I'll kill you on the spot, starting with you loudmouth."
Asta couldn't help but shout, "WHY ME?!"
"What do you know?" Karasu said, "Talking to him actually worked."
Morwyn said as she had been trying to process everything, "How? With a personality like that?"
"You say something Bad Breath?"Liam said with a sneer.
Morwyn's eyebrow twitched before she shouted "STAR MAGIC--"
"BEST FRIEND!!" Fafnar exclaimed as he leaped towards Liam.
He would've landed on him however Liam had been quick to move out of the way as Fafanar face planted on the floor. Arafau winced as he said, "that's gonna leave a mark."
Morwyn shouted "QUIT MESSING WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER!" She got her grimoire ready to attack one more. Or so it would seem as Yuno soon smacked Morwyn on the head as he told her, "Why are you doing this? We have bigger problems, remember?"
Morwyn rubbed heer head before she grumbled "Right right."
"Come on!" Asta said, "She's just down this way!"
"Lead the way Loudmouth." Liam said as Nero flew off of his shoulder.
"IT'S ASTA!"
"Don't care, just take me to her."
With a huff, Asta soon lead Liam back down the corridor where they came through as they hurried with a quick pace.
***
-Black Bulls Base-
Anger didn't describe what Yami had been going through right now. He had been told by the Magic Knight that he would get back to him as soon as possible though needless to say he was getting really impatient, considering it had been already over an hour.
"Are you done yet?" Yami asked as he took a puff, "Did you get someone?"
"I'm telling you I can't get a captain for you, they're all busy!" Sekke tried to explain though he seemed to have sounded nervous, "Look whatever you have--"
Yami had yelled,"IS THIS THE FACE OF SOMEONE WHO CARES?! JUST HURRY UP AND GET ONE OF THE CAPTAINS FOR ME!!"
Sekke let out a shriek, "Ju-Just hang on a second! I-I'll look again!"
The Triple A's soon came through the door along with their Magical Beast Partners, or at least they would've gone through the door if half the wall was gone as Alan, Kiba, and River went through and sat beside Adrien.
"Uh--" Aisling said, getting his attention, "--Captain Yami?"
"We're back from that mission you sent us on. Caught that thief red handed and then some--" Aine said as she looked over the wall noticing the extent of the damage after she kicked a brick away, "--Did Adrien blow out the wall again?"
"Did the eel not agree with him?" Aidan asked.
"Oh no, it wasn't the lizard." Yami said, "It was me."
The Triple A's looked to the wall again before they seemed to have nodded. "Ah--Okay that explains it then." Aine said as she whispered to her siblings, "Do you think it was Jubei's knives issue again?"
"No, that's usually more Pluck's schtick." Aisling replied.
"Just out of curiosity---" Yami soon said, "---Did you three know something was off with the Lizard Girl this morning?"
The Triple A's look confused at this again. "Uh--" Aine said, "--No?"
"Other then she looked more dazed then usual, she seemed normal to us." Aidan added, as he raised his eyebrow, "... Why do you ask?"
"So she didn't tell you?" Yami said, a bit surprised, before he sighed again, "I figured.."
"Did she do something wrong Captain?" Aine asked worryingly, "Is she in trouble?"
"Oh more than trouble." Yami said. "That dummy got herself sick."
At this the Triple A's paled as even their magical beasts had reacted the same way. "Oh no--" Aidan said, "--That explained why she looked dazed!"
"Ana latta as me, I just thought she didn't get enough sleep!" Aine said, "This is really bad!"
"And not even Pluck noticed that's way worse!" Aisling said, "If she ends up pushing herself--"
Yami couldn't help but give a quizzical look before he asked, "what will happen?"
"Well--" Aidan said, "--Since we were kids, she can't exactly handle a common cold. Most of the Healers in our village figured it's because she's half of a human and half of an elf!"
"Her body can't handle it, even if it's a bug that lasts a whole day!" Aine added, "If she ends up pushing herself she'll--Well--You know--" Aine soon cleared her throat before she said while twiddling her thumbs, "--Push up daisies."
"But she was doing so good!" Aisling said, "Auntie Alma said it herself! I haven't seen her sick since she was like, twelve!"
Yami's eyes widened before he asked "you mean the kid will die sometime soon unless we do something?!"
The Triple A's nodded as they equally looked worried. "Or--Fall into a coma, or a Tainted would come and try and whisk her and or others away--" Aidan said with a nervous smile, "--Either way it's really bad."
They could see Yami's eyebrow twitch slightly as he began to growl. He turned to the magic item as he said "hey, where's that backup I asked for?"
"Oh! I actually got a hold of one!" Sekke said, "Though--"
Yami soon told him with a death threatening aura, "PUT EM THROUGH."
Sekkee jumpedas he shrieked "O-OKAY! BAH-HA!"
Just like that, Sekke put him through to a set of two familiar people on the Magical Device. "Captain Charlotte and Jack?!" The Triple A's exclaimed when they saw their faces.
Charlotte said as her face turned a bit red, "Y-Yami?! Yo-You're contacting me!?"
Jack soon said, "KEKE--You must be this desperate if you want to call me!"
"Look, I have no time for your comments." Yami told them. "We have a big problem and it involves our Princess."
At this, the expressions on their faces changed. "What's happened to her?" Charlotte asked.
Jack soon said, "Did she risk her life again?"
"Way worse." Yami said. "I just learned from Jubei and Vandy, she's under the weather. And from what the Triple A's told me, it's not like your usual sickness. And if we don't hurry, who knows what will happen."
"She's sick!?" Charlotte said, "And you let her take a mission?!"
"So she didn't learn from the last time this happened, huh?!" Jack asked as he even sounded strangely angry, to the Triple A's, "Where did you say you sent her too!? KEKE!"
"A dungeon that emerged." Yami replied, "Brenin informed us that the other Familiars are in there. They left a short time ago."
"You let her go to a dungeon!?" Charlotte exclaimed.
"You really are reckless with her are you?" Jack said, "Maybe she should have gone to my squad instead!"
Yami soon told Jack with a glare, "Over my dead body, beanpole."
"This isn't the time for your childish arguing!" Charlotte said, "We have to get to the Dungeon now!"
"KEKE--Like we have a choice." Jack said.
"The dungeon emerged near the border of the Diamond Kingdom." Yami said as he stood, "I'm heading over there."
"That kid better still be breathing when we get there!" Jack said with a glare towards Yami.
Yami merely told him, "The hell does that mean?!"
"You know EXACTLY what I mean meathead!" Jack told him before he hung up on his Magic Item as well as Charlotte.
Yami soon stepped out of the base as he had gotten out his broom. He had been ready to take flight when--
"Yami!" Aine said as she ran out; she soon handed him a small bag, "Here! You'll need this."
Yami took the bag from her as he looked a bit confused, "What's this?"
"Red Clover flowers." Aine replied, "I just got them from the market, in case something like this happened. They're the same type of herbs Auntie Alma and Uncle Zeid used to help her. All you have to do is mix them with hot water, and get her to drink it."
"Drink them huh?" Yami asked. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Just please--" Aine said as her eyes looked hopeful and filled with tears, "--We already lost her once, we can't bear to lose her again."
Yami's look softened slightly before he gave her a pat on the head as he told her, "don't worry. I'll bring her back, safe and sound."
With that he hopped on his broom and took to the skies, while Aine watched him disappear in the distance as her expression had been written with nothing but worry.