/Niko
Bird tweeting is joyous, sun is shining bright, wind is caressing skin softly. Yet the sour faces of the gentlemen are annoying to boot.
I kept my hands in my pockets, as I walked. Knight walked beside Erick at all times, just like Yuki did. Both were pressured about recovering their Rose, as well as keeping him safe. Ary lead way.
Ary sometimes would be there to join me, without any words, to walk beside me. There was the sense of the pain and camaraderie that was only shared in this miniscule way we could. Others were not part of it.
"Your brother is up to some really interesting things." - I let out quietly, so others would not hear, as we were going through the woods.
"I'm not even surprised that you know of him and what he does." - Ary said dryly.
"Even though you are like that, he might be interested in, maybe, getting to know you again." - I said.
Ary gave me a glance.
"As much as my brother Verin is a pompous brat, he'd not ever dare speak to me. After the blessings we've got." - Ary sighed.
"I'm sure you two have way more in common by now, that the two had changed after so much. He's not such a goody two-shoes priest, and you're no longer that much of a notorious demon." - I smiled.
"We've had our falls. So did you and others." - Ary let out tiredly. - "I'm not sure that this whole trip will really help you. It might do just the opposite. But that's your choice. Ehh…" - Ary cut the conversation with this, then walked to the front, resuming the guide role.
Others had shared their stories among themselves to certain points, but now is now, and then is then.
Destination we keep our sights on is already half a day away. It takes us time to get there.
Horseback riding was quite the moment there. Yuki and Erick were not really fond of it, as they were not happy with these horses. Unique breed to local lands, half horse – half draconian, so, scales atop this pretty thing were off putting to some, but they were one of the fastest creatures to ride.
I enjoyed for a moment the way how Ary was atop one of these horses. He had not been out of the Castle along with others for a long while. They sort of cursed me for it, but somehow, it was not my curse that bound them to that land. It was someone else. And he rode with them now as the person they longed for the most. Though, he, Erick, would not remember that curse even if I poked my magic at him. It was a curse that stemmed from the implements of his pledge to King. Eh.
How sad it is, to remember some parts, but not having ones that I need. I did have a small moment of this remnant of memory cross me, once I saw Ary and Gabriel riding. A small flash from the times of war.
They were going away on these beasts, leaving me struggling on the field. Where dead bodies were piled and the burned flesh was all I could smell. Blood was covering me, blood was oozing out of me and it was pain and hollow mystery that had me tight in a grip, as I wailed in cries.
The moment we took the ship to cross river Nila was quite the show. Gabriel, although the typical heavy knight, he forgot how the rocking feels on the waves, so he was puking his guts out. Yuki was in the same situation, Erick managed to hold it out, although he was quite sick every so often, but due to watching others feeling sick. Maybe the smell of fish oil was also triggering for them.
Me and Ary had another moment of chat, as brief as it was, as we stood both in the far corner of the vessel.
"You've still managed to come back." - He let out. - "And you let that thing let us go."
"It was not my doing that you were there." - I replied.
"Lies." - He said without looking at me.
"Ary," - I said, - "Look me in the eyes."
He turned for a bit, sending daggers with his look.
"It was not my doing." - I repeated.
He looked down, as if puzzled.
"Not me." - I repeated myself.
"But how?" - He let out quietly.
"There's things that were the chain on the Rose, there's chains on you and I. But all of them differ." - I said tiredly. - "He was special to each of us in own way. Same as the curse he planted on us."
Ary gave me another glance. Then gave a short nod.
"I see. So it was not you." - He said.
I turned and started walking the other way.
"Niko, I'm not going to be sorry. But you better…" - Aru turned to me.
"I know." - I turned to him. - "I know as much as you do. And as I pledged - I never would lie to you. Never did."
Ary looked at me, pressing his lips, then turning away.
"You… Always sacrifice yourself for him. Eternally did, eternally keeping at it." - He let out.
"That's how much…" - I muttered.
"That's how much you love him." - Ary sighed. - "I won't watch it any more. There, you'll be alone. Not even I will be witness to this kind of bond and sorrow."
Once we were across the river, we resumed the walk on foot. As the next part of this path - nas no roads leading to it. None which are paved.
/Adrian
I kept fiddling with my tie.
"Can you just bloody get in?!" – I lost my temper, roaring – "Double Windsor my ass!"
I took off the tie, threw it aside, then unbuttoned the top of my shirt.
Bitter aftertaste left by the new coffee I had barely ten minutes ago was disturbing. Having slept long after parallel diving had its effects. Thus getting ready right now was getting purely irritating.
This board member meeting was absolutely uncalled for. I was pushing Merin to postpone this as far as it could go. So much for her help there.
The original plan for the day really consisted of sleeping in, then being in the lab for the rest of the day.
But knowing that Merin would be one to meet board members and as her shit goes - she'd make things worse, as she's no clue what to give them to shut them up.
I did my best to keep my tantrum at bay and deal with this issue at hand.
"Shit, I have to notify Kriss about it." – I let out, as I got the phone in my hand. Right as I was about to click on Kriss' name, the call from Merin appeared before it could happen.
"On my way! For god's sake!" – I answered, then cut the call and threw the phone on the bed.
Car was roaring like a beast, as it was on the highway driving towards headquarters. I was finally suited up, with Double Windsor tied, sleek and classy - all ready to meet the pompous board members, who have the oblivious perception that they own the world.
"Call lab" – I spoke to an automated system installed in the car. Sound of beeping and ringing began, few seconds later – someone answered.
"Ah, you're finally calling, Sir. I was getting concerned." - He let out straight up.
"Kriss, get the docs ready. Merin right now is the pain in the rear. So you will have to proceed with tests by yourself for now. I'll get to the lab once I'm done." - I let out, as I sped up towards HQ.
"Alright, shall be on with it then. Oh and… Good luck, Sir." - Kriss was trying to be supportive, I presume.
"Thanks, that'll be needed." - I replied, with my whole self feeling tired, such sense growing by the minute.
Call gets cut off.
I take a breath. Highway was surely crowded today, as I got stuck in a traffic jam right after having the ride going fast for a moment there. But maybe that was for the best.
/Elyon
Mountain air and mist that covered the land below was truly magical. Sounds of waterfalls, rustling of leaves and sometimes the growl of dragon flying by. I was walking downhill to greet the herbalist, who wishes for Goddesses assistance. I breathed deeply to capture the freshness of air in my lungs.
From the moment I appeared in this forest until now – a lot of time has passed. I got to mature, discover new things, and learn much from Goddess herself and her subordinates. Taste of the food here is quite "out of this world" experience. Through these new experiences I gasped my new self.
Discovering things which are not what they seem. Also discovering that Goddess has a sort of obsession of keeping close watch over "Witch". Besides the Goddess, nobody knows who the Witch is.
It got to the point where I realised that perhaps there is more to this "Witch", more to secrets that Goddess keeps, more to the legends that are told.
I knew that Orin was at David's place. Yet knowing that, whilst sharing with Orin experiences which I went through here seemed very difficult. For Orin time was going slower, way-way slower than here. To her it was minuscule minutes, to me it felt like slow weeks to months passing. And with the time warped in the Goddesses place - I could not truly tell how much time really passed.
Sun shone through tree tops, its light reaching earth. Grass shimmering in morning dew. Each step I took was light, floating even - I learned to move like a river. At the foot of the mountain base I met an old Elvish man - the herbalist from town Sier.
I bowed as I approached the man, as it was required of me, for I was now one of the Goddesses priestesses. Being under Goddesses wing meant its duties and responsibilities. This time around - helping man to get his wishes told to the Goddess and asking for blessings.
"Darling," - Goddess walked into my room, - "I must ask of you to get ready. You have a few hours to prepare."
I gave a short nod, got up and started preparing items I needed to be along with me on my journey. One that was planned with the Goddess herself, but one that I had to execute alone.
/Kriss
I'm really worried about this next step in research. Having all subjects receive pain stimulants with a new type of drug that Adrian has developed, made my skin crawl.
Knowing that it would kill all the present subjects - made me stress out even more. Yet there was no way that Adrian would change his mind.
Stress was bursting over the top horribly. My palms are sweating, like the rest of my body, the mind is half hearing white noise and the pressure makes it boil like the kettle with bad wiring that just can't stop boiling.
I tried a bit, then some more… Finally an idea showed up. With so little time to think I called David.
"Hey! He pushed for a new drug to go in. This one actually kills after taking a few minutes. We don't have time."
"Don't worry, it'll be taken care of. Somehow." - David seemed exhausted, like his mind is also someplace else, but it's not a worry that has him, it's something else.
I let out a sigh.
"I'm not sure what I can do." - I say.
"Neither do I." - He replied and cut off.
The heck was this about? Do I have more people to worry about or actually… Oh god.
I have to pull the time. I must think of something… Something… The shelf unit with a fridge caught my eye - the liquid that stood there was less harmless, kind of like a vitamin booster, which had the same look as the drug which Adrian wants to administer.
Well, switching the two could give us some more time. So, let's get cracking before the angry master shows up.
/Adrian
I met Merin in the hall right in front of the meeting room doors.
The meeting room that is right now hosting the pompous men and women. Waiting for something new that will allow them to control people even more. Monitor every last bit of their souls.
AIO was never about prosperity for them or the ones that use it. It always came down to business at the end of the day.
No matter the means used, people were fed the lies of this world's beauty, prosperity, generousness and so much more. All to navigate each step they made, get rid of troublemakers, spoon-feed the needed information through the media.
Indeed, I was the science man who built this nature filled reserve and motivated people to work, with their thoughts filled with greatness and righteous beauty propaganda.
Right now the pompous bureaucrats must taste their own medicine, which they produce and push out daily – endless lies.
/Niko
Town Mavur greeted all travellers with two giant statues. They were ancestor-built mechanisms that froze and turned to stone. The two giants were tall and bulky, making you feel safe. It's like they waited for you to return home, so they can protect you.
Mavur, if looked at it from above, reminded of a giant octopus spreading its streets all around, keeping its great body always firm and beautiful. Once passing this town and heading the day's journey south - there lied the destination.
A place which we sought for. It was empty for most part. Guarded by monstrous creatures that were made and locked within vicinity to protect the place at all costs from anyone that'd dare to mess with it. All who knew about this cursed land - avoided it. Passing around it for tens of kilometres, being afraid of the darkness that lured there.
But for those who don't know: it looked like a castle in the middle of a gloomy forest, built by an unknown man, for unknown reason, with unknown magic protecting it.
Path that leads towards the castle was grown over with tall grass. It was all the harder for the matter that it was getting dark.
"We should stay the night in a tavern. Then during the day we'll be on our way again." – Gabriel proposed.
Ary kept his hands in sleeves, just like he does most of the time, he eyed everyone as he turned around. Erick looked exhausted. His body barely kept up with everyone else, with all the walking and feet dragging, it was hard on him. He was not like before, and by the look that Erick gave, he regretted not having the power he once had, surely if he'd recovered it, he would probably have been able to fight back. Yuki held Eric's hand, feeling that his friend needed it to keep on going.
"I agree with Knight." – Ary spoke. – "Some things must be prepared in order to get inside that place. We shall stay the night in the nearby Merchant Union."
With the way they all were - I had no option, but to agree with their proposal. I clearly saw the suffering of Erick, but due to some grudges, even the "love" I developed for him was no longer holding me or him from being who we are.
We found a nice place to stay right near the forest. The Merchant Union lands are like a scarf that leads to river Lea, hosting many taverns, markets and odd sorts of things.
Place was known for all kinds of merchandise. You could buy the smuggled technology from the Forbidden City, as well as the relics raided from inside the Three Saint Sages mountain to dragon eggs from near Sky Castle.
We've booked the rooms, leaving me alone with myself, just like it always was. This time there was something different.
Usually when alone there was nothing unusual, but this time I had strange pain throughout my whole body, way more intense than previously - leaving me sitting on the corner of a bed, hands clasping my heart, gasping for air.
This pain was always with me, usually not as bad, so I could just bear with it. Not this time, it seemed.
Strange feeling was overwhelming me. Head felt like it was splitting in half from the pain. Suddenly a little oddity sparked my interest – in the corner of her room, near the window, someone stood. By the features I could make out it was a young man with white hair, crown gleaming in moonlight. So, so dear and close to me… So ah!
I clung to my own heart, as pain made me squirm like a beaten pup. Then the sense of fear got me for some reason.
My heart felt like it dropped and stopped for a moment there. Few seconds later, just as I mustered myself to take a better look – the shadow was gone.
"No, it can't be you…" – I muttered.
A premonition I felt - that this night held much more to it than any other night.
/Elyon
"The dragon will take you to the castle in Ruins. Soon you'll meet a friend of yours. Be prepared. You'll know what to do." – The Goddess was sending me off, while I was getting on a dragon. – "Your journey will not take long, but adventures surely are great. Take care."
Goddess bowed to me, as the blessing she gave me prior is one that holds in respect. I gave a nod, then got the handles. Dragon gave a grunt, then he set off into the night sky. The scenery of forest becoming small, then disappearing under, with nothing but an endless sea of stars above me, guiding me to the needed quest I must accomplish.
/Hare, Doppel, Cat
Doppel and Cat held bags, each containing research and blueprints which are conducted in the Forbidden City. The two had to drop off the bags in the designated area, which they negotiated with Adrian.
Getting from the Forbidden City to the place that's called Mavur, was a menace. It was hard. And due to lack of funds that were with us, as well as pressing for the money, nothing could be sorted out fast with some fast money made. No time for that. That mad man was waiting for his things.
After such a long trip to Mavur, with lack of food, with great exhaustion - we were barely functioning, yet they were close to our destination.
"Something feels off." - Hare muttered, as a strange pain in heart jolted him.
/Niko
Early morning brought along Ary. He was the one who still dared to come and wake up the most hated person right now – me.
As always – three knocks on the door, then he would walk in, in his particular way. He stood next to my bed and placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Wake up. We must get ready to be on our way." – His voice is beautifully charming.
I turned around, dragged my feet aside to hang from the bed, as I sat up. I looked at the floor, then onto the spot where yesterday I saw the shadow.
"You're even paler than before. No matter how much pain you're in - seeing you this miserable makes me pity you."
Ary once more put his hand on my shoulder. I raised my face, looking into his eyes.
"Don't you dare tell them about it." - I let out, my own voice hoarse.
Something was off and I coughed, covering my mouth with my hand, then as I pulled it away to look – there it was - blood.
"I'm fine." – I let out, taking short breaths. - "I'll get ready now, so you can go wake up others."
"Ehh… Just how long will you last like this? King would be really sad if he saw you right now." – Ary purred, then decided to do something he did not dare for many centuries.
He hugged me, patting my head softly.
"And here I thought I'd leave you in your pit." - Ary let out. - "Don't tell them about this."
He pulled back, looking me in the eyes.
"Hikaru still pains you this much, haunting you to the death, hm?" - He purred, with a smirk spreading on his face. Here we go, the devilish side to his sympathy.
I slapped him off of me.
"Don't you dare speak his name and sully it with your voice." - I angrily replied, as my throat hurt speaking.
Ary let out a giggle, then got up and left the room.
I felt the tears fill in, blurring my vision, then streaming silently down my face.
"How dare he say his name…" - I let out.
After I got myself pulled together, I got out and saw them all waiting.
Ary coldly gestured for us to continue our trip.
Just seeing them, just hearing him call the precious name of my Light… How dare he… The inner anger seemed to fuel me now. Letting me feel less of the pain for a moment.
Our destination awaits us.