Archbishop Judas's Office
"EXCUSE ME ARCHBISHOP Judas, may I enter?"
"You may enter. Oh welcome back Bishop Anansi. Please have a seat."
"Thank you sir." Bishop Anansi sits down across from the Archbishop. "So what did you wish to speak with me about?"
"I have received reports that there are two individuals who are seeking to undermine the Lord's teachings. Have you heard anything about this Anansi?"
"I have not. Who are they?"
"I don't know yet. I want to send Rien to investigate the matter. What do you think?"
"That's an excellent idea sir. I'll inform her immediately."
"Make sure she knows it's recon only. She is to kill only if it's absolutely necessary."
"Very well. I'll take my leave now, and make the arrangements."
"Thank you."
A few minutes later. In Bishop Anansi's Office.
"Are you here?"
"I am." Loki appears before Anansi.
"What the hell are you wearing?"
"I learned of this thing called cosplay. It sounded fun. So I dressed up like that British fellow. What do you think?"
"Can you stop messing around Loki?"
"Alright, fine... Do you want a pop-tart? Loki asks, pulling a box of pop-tarts out of thin air.
"...Let's discuss why I called for you."
"Are you sure you don't want one? It's cherry."
Anansi just sits there staring daggers at him. Eventually Loki speaks.
"Let me guess. Archbishop Judas has targeted the two other worlders as planned."
"So you already knew then."
"Yes. And I know you're sending this Rien person to investigate them.
Tell me Anansi, will she interfere with the plan?"
"Not likely."
"Good, I'll let the boss know the plan is moving forward. So if there is nothing else I'll be going."
"Just one more thing before you go Loki."
"And that is?"
"Can I have a pop-tart?"
Loki smiles at Anansi and then disappears without giving him a pop-tart.
*
"Will I be fine with what?"
"Welcome back Kino. Come sit, let's eat." Leo says pulling out a stool.
After being apart for a while the siblings are reunited at last. Introductions are exchanged, they then spend a couple hours catching up over good food. Once everyone is done eating, and the bill is paid. They all begin going over what skills they have.
"So Kiyo, now that you can wield two swords, maybe if you get a third…"
"Nope. Not happening."
"But just think…"
"Kino, it's not happening."
"Fine. Be that way."
"What are you guys talking about?" Asks Alice.
"Kino is talking about a famous pirate book. One of the characters in the story fights with three swords."
"How can he do that Kiyo? Does he use magic?"
"No Alice. He has one in each hand and the third is in his mouth."
"...Why his mouth?"
"That's just how it is." Kiyo replies. "Alright let's get down to business. First, other than being in battles, are you guys fine with me being the party leader?"
Everyone shakes their heads in agreement.
"Ok, now the reason I worded it that way is this. Corym, with your Hawk Eye skill you'll be able to better command us on the battlefield so I would like you to lead us, and give the orders."
"Sounds good Kiyo."
"Luna, I want you to help Corym out using your telepathy."
"She knows telepathy?"
"Yes I do Kino, but the range is limited to a one hundred meter radius from where I am."
"That's still a pretty good distance." Remarks Kino.
"Next our battle formation is as follows. I want the vanguard to be Leo, Kino, and myself. Corym on overwatch. Luna, you will be the support team. Alice and Abby, you'll be the rearguard. We'll rotate as needed."
"Kiyo, What's overwatch?"
"If able you'll be overlooking the battlefield from a high vantage point, and relaying orders as things unfold."
"I can create something if needed." Luna offers.
"No Luna that would draw attention to him, and make him a target. We'll make adjustments as needed."
"Why am I in the rear Kiyo?" Asks Abby.
"We need someone strong, protecting our six and making sure no one attacks Alice."
"That's fine, but if they're B ranked or above I'm screwed."
"Abby, I can tell just by looking at you that you are stronger than you appear."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, So are you fine with protecting Alice?
"Very well."
"Thank you Abby. I'll try not to be a burden for you."
"It's fine Alice, don't worry about it."
"Ok so unless anyone has any questions I say starting tomorrow we spend a few days training together before we take on our first quest."
With no objections to Kiyo's decision, everyone turns in for the night.
*
"Alright, this area by the lake seems like a good place for training." Kiyo announces to everyone.
"What do you have in mind, Kiyo?" Asks Leo.
"How about one on one combat? This will give us all a chance to see what everyone is capable of."
"Um Kiyo, I'm not trained in combat." Alice voices her concerns.
"Alright you can watch from over by that tree." Kiyo replies. "However Alice, just because you're a healer doesn't mean you can't learn how to fight. I'll leave it up to you if you wish learn."
"Leo and Kino, you guys are up first. Then Luna and Abby. Corym and I will go last." Kiyo announces.
"Hey Leo, come at me with the intent to kill me. Or I'll put you on your ass!" Kino taunts.
"If you think you can, then bring it!" Leo shouts back at her.
"Begin!"
"Shield Charge!" Leo runs towards Kino, his bronze round shield that is thirty centimeters in diameter is held in his left hand and is positioned in front of him as he charges.
"…Ole!" Kino shouts as she sidesteps Leo's attack. This is followed up with smack on the ass as he runs past. This exchange goes on for five more minutes before Leo collapses from exhaustion.
"Next up!" Kiyo shouts.
"Don't hold back Luna."
"Same to you Abby."
"Begin!"
"Fireball!" Luna's opening move is launched not from her staff, but her left hand.
"Reflect!" Using her battle-ax Abby reflects Luna's attack back at her.
"Ice Wall!" A wall of ice rises up just in time to block her own fireball. However the ice wall blocks Luna's view. Allowing Abby to move in close enough that she grabs Luna's staff.
"That's it. Match over!" Kiyo calls out.
"Alright, Kiyo and Corym are you guys ready?" Kino asks, taking over for her brother.
"Yeah!" Corym answers.
"Same here." Kiyo replies.
Because Corym is a ranged fighter. The two are standing ten meters apart.
"Begin!"
Corym nocks an arrow and lets it fly. Kiyo draws Snow from its scabbard, and cuts down the arrow.
"Rapid Fire!" Corym shoots arrow after arrow in rapid succession at Kiyo. Every arrow is cut down as Kiyo closes the gap. It's only when Kiyo is within striking distance that the match is stopped.
"Match over!" Kino calls out.
"Let's take a break and go over everything that's happened. Then we'll change partners before going again." Kiyo informs everyone. The party then spends the next four days training like this. Even Alice joins in eventually.
*
"Hmm. Which one do I want?" Kiyo mumbles to himself.
It's finally time for The Rising Sun Party to take on their first quest.
"Do you need help, young man?" Asks an older gentleman walking up to Kiyo.
"I'm just not sure what quest to take."
"Try this one."
"Oh, why this one?"
"No reason."
"My apologies for not introducing myself. My name is Kiyomaro Kurosaki."
"And my name is Odie. Seek me out anytime I'll be around."
"Thank you Odie. I'll see you later."
"Hi Kiyo, what can I do for you?"
"Hey Rin, I'm here to take on a quest."
"Ok no problem. That board over there has all the job quests posted on it. Just pick the one you like, and I'll inform the client as well as put it in your file. Once the quest is complete you can report back here or any adventurers guild to collect the reward. If you fail a quest you'll have to give a detailed report on why you couldn't complete it. So let me know what you pick."
"I already picked one."
"…Are you sure Kiyo? It's B ranked."
"I think we'll be ok Rin. Don't forget, two of us are SS ranked after all. Plus Odie recommended it."
"Who?"
"That older gentleman right… odd he's already gone."
"Well alright then I'll let the client know you're on the way."
"Thanks Rin."
"So where are we going first?"
"Well Luna, we're heading over to Peach Valley to handle some earth bears."
"Earth bears, how many are there Kiyo?
"Six in all Leo."
"Six! Are you sure we can handle it?"
"We'll be fine Luna. I know it's a B rank quest, but with Kino and myself here you guys will be fine. Also taking on higher ranked quests will boost your experience and help you guys rank up faster."
"Ok I'm in."
"What about the rest of you guys?"
With everyone in agreement they gather up the necessary gear needed for the eight day trip. Then set out for Peach Valley on foot.
*
"Thank you for coming. My name is Dale, I'm the chief of this place."
"My name is Kiyo. This is Kino, Leo, Luna, Alice, Corym, and Abby. So what can you tell us about your situation?"
"Normally we'd get maybe one or two earth bear attacks a year, which we've been able to handle on our own until now. This is the first time that six have attacked us all at once."
"All six attacked at once?"
"Yes Abby, that's correct." Answers Dale.
"Kiyo, this sounds like a summoner is behind the attacks."
"Abby, if the summoner is B ranked, how hard would it be to control six earth bears?"
"To control six of them at once they would need to be at least A ranked."
"What about two B ranked summoners?"
"That's a possibility. If each is controlling three a peice." Replies Abby.
"So we could be dealing with one or two summoners ranked B or A. Is that what you believe?"
"Yes, I believe so." Abby responds to Dale's question.
"When do the attacks happen?" Kino is the one who asks this.
"They happen at random."
"I can find them."
"No hold off on that Kino. If it was me I'd want to be nearby watching everything happen, as well as being able to give orders to my summons."
"You think they're hiding in the trees Kiyo?"
"I do Leo. I noticed that the forest surrounding this valley is pretty thick. It wouldn't be hard to hide in the trees and watch everything."
"So what's the plan Kiyo?"
"Ok everyone listen up I'm going to show you what's known as a diamond formation. Dale, can I use your map of the town?"
"Yes, by all means Kiyo"
"Ok so here's what I'm talking about. Abby, I want you at the entrance that we used when we arrived here."
"Got it."
"Next Kino, I want you to the left of her along the river right here."
"Alright."
"Luna, I want you on the right side by the open field across from Kino."
"Got it."
"I'll take the last point here heading out. Now as you can see this makes the diamond formation, but on a much larger scale. Now Corym, Alice, and Leo you three will rest up at the Inn."
"What why?"
"Because Leo without knowing when they'll attack. I want to rotate every couple hours. You three will rest then switch with someone who's on watch except for me. I'll stay out longer than you guys, seeing how we can't do a full swap out."
"Are you sure about staying out longer Kiyo?"
"It's fine Alice. I've trained for hours on end without much rest. So I'm better suited for the long haul."
"I won't be able to communicate with all of you spread out like that. Shouldn't I be in the center of town?"
"No Luna and here's why. If something happens to you. How would we communicate then?"
"…" Luna can't give an answer to Kiyo's question.
"So you want us to shout at each other?"
"No Abby, I'm gonna teach you guys simple hand signals."
"Can I please just go and end this right now." Grumbles Kino.
"How will they raise their ranks if we don't allow them to experience combat Kino?" Kiyo asks.
"Ok fine."
Kiyo begins going over some basic hand signals.
"Alright everyone get into position. Corym can you hang back a sec.
Kiyo waits until the others leave before addressing Corym.
"I don't want you using World Sight."
"Why?"
"Abby told me it takes a great toll on your eye."
"I see."
"What can you tell me?"
"One of the things I learned about this skill is that too much use can cause deterioration in the eye leading to blindness. Even though I'm an elf this ability requires greater mana than I have. Which says alot about this skill.
"Thanks for sharing that Corym. So unless it's necessary don't use it and even then try to keep it under ten seconds."
"I'll do my best Kiyo."
"Thank you for understanding. Now go rest up."
"Hey, Kiyo got a minute?"
"Sure Dale."
Nothing happens until just before sunset.