Two male Stepan students' hearts sped up as did their steps, turning left and right every time they saw a path. Behind them were tailing bandits like those that chased Anna.
The drops of sweat amidst the cold weather bothered them, yet not as much as the thought of the bandits reaching them.
They took yet another sharp turn and halted, their path blocked by houses without gaps. Turning around, the bandits slowed down and drew their swords, the most devilish smiles and frowns they can put on display.
"It's over, you two." said the bandit on the middle front, wiggling his cutlass.
"Is that all of them?" whispered the student on the left, receiving a nod from his classmate. They both smiled, much to the bandits' confusion.
"Why are you two smiling? Do you not fear us?" the bandit's voice grew as irritable as confused, he stomped forward in an attempt to intimidate them.
The student placed his hands on the edges of his mouth. "HER GRAAACE!" His voice echoed around the area.
They observed the surroundings, seeing nothing until they noticed a coin falling from the sky. One of them caught it. "A Zinarius?" He opened his palm, his eyes widening as it progressively glowed purple.
"——Arghhhhh———!" Pain lingered in their screams, yet was ignored by the hot and electrifying bolts of purple akin to lightning, grandly thundering the area.
The two examined the bandits, nudging them with their feet to confirm their unconsciousness. A brunette appeared from the same entrance a few seconds later. "Bullseye?" she asked, though the answer was already laid before her.
"Bullseye." confirmed the student on the left. "Her Grace, you're akin to a cannon."
"I'd appreciate it if you call me Meredith instead." She gazed at the bandits, a mix of warmth–a byproduct of pride engulfing her. "Are you sure they're all unconscious?"
"Without a doubt, we saw your anti-magic strike every single one of them."
"Good. Grab at least one of their valuables each, then we'll return to the academy, I'll wait by the fountain." It's still a little weird hearing the name of my magic. She walked back from her original path, turning left to a small and plain fountain a few steps away. Even I get confused–just how exactly is my magic 'anti-magic'? If anything, it should be a separate entity,
She opened her palm with a single Zinarius within, a few purple bolts zapping around it. It feels so easy transferring its power around my body, yet so hard to control in a coin.
The question wasn't as grand as to permit deep thoughts, nor was it as miniscule to shrug off entirely, yet it bugged her when the chance to think of it arose.
…
Before Meredith stood her father, a calm and gentle smile planted in his face. "Damon, Meredith, have you chosen an object for your magic?"
Damon nodded, his index pointing at a red staff that held a yellow crystal sphere, surrounded by gold as if caging said sphere. "That one looks appealing."
"Very well then." He turned to Meredith. "Meredith?"
Borne by the absence of decisiveness, she had thought of multiple options the past days–a sword, a broom, a hat, a necklace, a slingshot, a bow, and many more, yet nothing struck a chord inside her.
"Um.." She uttered, her ears glowing red in embarrassment. As any child like her would do, she fiddled her fingers.
The two understood what this was about. Damon smirked, ever the tease when his older twin slips up. "Oh what is this all about, Mary? Haven't you mustered any ideas while visiting the Dorens and playing with Prince Sévir all day?" His mocking tone was met with a frown from his sister.
Their father folded his arms. "Well you have to decide already, we will commence the [Compatibility Ritual] shortly." his voice, usually calm, hinted at slight annoyance from Meredith's indecisiveness.
With a sudden attack of pressure, she could feel the sweat start to kick in everywhere. She looked down, her eyes glistening. "..I know now!"
The two gazed at the brown bag of coins she held up, a confident smile on her face. "..Coins!" (I carry them all the time. They seem to be the easiest to handle, after all, they're light, replenishable, and I can definitely use them however I want!)
Damon raised a brow, his tone and face close to mockery. "What, you're gonna throw them around like some slingshot? Don't even bother, you'll just miss it all."
She ignored his discouraging remark and faced their father, a hope of affirmation reflecting in her eyes.
Much to his natural glimpse of hesitance, he sighed resignedly. "Fine, if that's what you wish.. We mustn't waste further time, we shall begin right now."
"Summon the audience of the [Deities of Light]; [Ner and Nora], and the [Deities of Diversity]; [Ananka and Atheleisia]." He pulled out a bronze necklace that hung a grey crystal, and another for a yellow variant.
In an unintelligible language, they recited:
"Deities of [Light/Diversity], I beseech thee to grant me an audience. I desire none but the Deities I believe in to witness my union with a new vessel."
Beneath them, a circle glowed, coloured respective of their magic, etched with unknown symbols within that resembled something like a forgotten alphabet.
"I, [Damon/Meredith] Galena, have chosen the object I wish to use as a vessel for your excellence–none other than the [staff/coins] before me. I vow to thee that I will wield it until the day I cease to live."
The two recited in unison, their eyes shut and brows furrowed as if trying to tap deeper in an attempt to communicate with their deities.
Paper-thin bands of yellow and grey wrapped around their extended arms and items of choice, The air grew cold and heavy, as if the gods were descending to meet the two in person.
The said bands drew closer until it sunk through their clothes and skin, though they felt nothing. Afterwards, the magic circles disappeared.
They opened their eyes to a slow applause from their father, whose smile radiated with pride. "Well done, my children." Slowly, he extended his arms and patted their heads. "You two have successfully continued the Galena tradition of [Weapon Styles]."
…
She slapped her forehead with her right hand. Stupid old me.
Her thoughts were cut short as she heard clanks of metal behind her–it was the two students, carrying around a big bag that seemed to have swords inside.
"Ordin, Roy? You two were fast." she commented, but deep inside, she appreciated their speed since it meant they could leave sooner."
"Those bandits literally had nothing but their swords on them." said Roy, who wore disappointment on his face. Ordin nodded in affirmation.
She walked past them, her walking speed reflecting her desire to leave. "Let's go."
*
Minerva sat at the table, from across sat Nell, who held a mug of bubbly beer. "How's your time here as of late?"
Her head hung low, attesting to the sheer disappointment lingering in her heart. "Bad would be an understatement, no matter the corner I go, I see nothing but poverty and violence.. It's sickening."
He listened, though he didn't show a single hint of emotion. This lack of reaction reinforced his experience, revealing to her just how used he was to the flow of The Forbidden.
"Then, there's that Trystan Polymorph chasing me around whenever she spots me.. She's actually insane."
"Tell you what Rio, nobody here is sane, I'm sure you're starting to realise that insanity is what keeps this town alive–I wouldn't be so naive to say what they're doing is terrible."
His last statement sparked something inside Minerva. She slammed her hands on the table and stood up, her piercing gaze meeting his, "What do you mean what they're doing isn't terrible? Has being cooped up in this hellhole you call home wiped your humanity out of existence!?"
He put his mug down, his face still feigning nonchalance. "Don't raise your voice at me, Rio." He stood up. Despite the calm tone of his voice, she could feel threat within, presumably borne by the hidden aura that he gave off just now and never before. "I've witnessed what you never have. The expression of your ideas is what will get you killed here."
She leaned back, her face feigning confusion. "..Why..?"
"It doesn't take long for people to accept the situation before them, isn't that how society works?" His rhetorical question kept her on edge. He took his mug and walked to the open door, stopping right before leaving. "Our societies are night and day–you're pushing your society's values here too far."
He left after his final statement, Minerva slowly sunk to her chair, her fists clenching in frustration, and mind scrambling in conflict.
It was that final statement that kept her barely tip-toeing on a wobbling tower of blocks, speaking volumes of truth, yet she desperately denied them.
In the middle of all this internal chaos, she suddenly stood up with her head held high. She had finally found the sudden spike of motivation. She believed pondering this way wouldn't bring her forward.
Now that her goal of investigating the underground town was finished, she kept her desire to stay longer with something new–just what was it that kept her feet stuck in the town? Was it glue?
Her gaze observed the area through the window. "Nell could be right, but I've dug too deep to back out now." She fist pumped, a simple gesture reflecting her complex wave of determination. "I won't leave empty-handed."
.
A smile grew in Nell's face as he listened to her words from outside the room.
*
Sévir stood atop a roof, his hair silver, yet did not reflect the light from beneath.
How are you holding up, Sévir? asked a voice in his mind, though its owner was not Blue, but someone else.
Green? Is that you?
It is.
Weird.. You don't usually ask how I'm doing.
'The wind is relative'. If we're going straight to battle, I must know your condition.
Did you make that quote up?
I did.
Sévir glanced around, a low sigh escaping his mouth afterwards. I'll be honest with you, alright?
Go on.
All this, it's a little.. Overwhelming. It's only been a week since me and Minerva stumbled upon this town, yet..
His chest carried a weight not too heavy, yet bothersome since his return–he couldn't trace where it was from, nor what it was about.
I feel something weighing me down the more I stay here.
I think I know what it is. Ever the analyst, Green somehow made a conclusion within seconds of talking about the topic.
What is it?
..Why would I tell you? Find it out yourself.
Sévir clicked his tongue, irritation marking his face. Useless piece of crap, I'm not letting you stay in my head rent-free, you know?
What will you do, pull me out? That's impossible.
Touché.
Say.. Why didn't you help Minerva earlier?
Ah, that..
He recalled sitting atop another roof, watching Minerva and Ayuna battle.
I had to know what she was made of. Have you forgotten I own a polymorph?
Of course not.
Exactly. You know how powerful human polymorphs naturally tend to be. She's a weaker duplicate of Sanguinex, but she's still no joke.
Mhm, I noticed it as well.
It's in Sanguinex's nature to hold back because that's what I trained her to do, now I'm thinking that could've been a slight mistake.
Green kept silent. Fortunately Sévir was familiar with him, therefore he knew Green's silence attested to his understanding.
"You seem to be in deep thought, Sévir van Doren..~" said the gentle and slightly high pitched voice of a girl his age, but instinctively he knew it was no banter.
He gasped upon realisation, dashing to the roof of another house with light magic. She laughed in amusement.
He stared her down; her hair as black as coal and eyes as playful as it was deadly–it was no other than Ayuna.
That was close, Sévir!
It really was.
She pouted. "Aw, why did you run away? Do you not like the presence of a girl as pretty as I am?"
Deep in his guts, a feeling urged him to turn heels and escape her sight. Green felt Sévir's instincts, and spoke out.
Run away. Trust your guts.
I didn't need you to state the obvious.
He sped away as he retracted to a ball of light, going as fast as his limits would allow him to, which didn't hold a candle to the likes of Noelle.
Whether or not he was able to look back, he could feel the intense pressure building up from behind as Ayuna gleefully chased him down, hopping from roof to roof.
Damn, I should've focused on improving my magic instead of my martial arts!
No no, the path to learning magic is to learn your physical capabilities–you're on the right track. Green said as tonelessly as Sévir usually spoke, yet it was enough to convince Sévir.
Go through the small gaps.
Sévir nodded and did as Green ordered, but it was either Ayuna smashing her way through the walls surrounding the holes with relative ease or dashing up its roofs.
With enough evidence, Green sighed in resignation. ..You're right, she's insane..–Who bashes through walls instead of jumping up??
Now you get my point.
*
As Minerva continued to gaze around through the window, observing the darkness and the light shining from a hole atop that never even appeared from the surface.
She just couldn't wrap her head around its concept–no, more like she couldn't understand what type of magic it pulled off to cast such a big spell with such outstanding endurance.
As her thoughts went on about it, it was abruptly cut off as a small ball of light passed by the window, tailed by a figure too familiar to her, despite their sheer speed.
Her eyes widened, she pushed the window open and leaned out, facing left. "Ayuna..?"
The mysterious passing stacked her head with even more confusion, but she flushed it out as quickly as she let it in, her expression turning stern.
She held her cutlass and the ledge as she climbed out the window, observing her surroundings to find any safe spot to land on.
*
Ayuna stood in the middle of a round and open place surrounded by roads and silent houses; it resembled a plaza and a fountain spot, yet there were no fountains, nor tents and people. The area was dimly lit by charcoal in pots, and was a considerable distance away from the "lively" town they were just in.
As she looked around in search of Sévir, she dashed backwards as the spot she previously stood at erupted, its immense power sending a blind shade of dust and smoke everywhere.
Just as she thought it was Sévir finally revealing himself, four tentacles of water surged towards her, presumably aimed for her limbs. To Ayuna, an attack like this was simply futile–she only had to thrust the fist and elbow of her right arm to deal with all four. From the attack alone, she had a hunch on who it was–Minerva Grosvenor.
"Were you even trying, Lady Minerva?" She asked light-heartedly as the dust and smoke flew away, revealing the Second Undefeated.
"I'll try very shortly, don't you worry." Her stern expression and battle-ready stance betrayed Minerva's light-hearted reply, who to Ayuna, radiated an aura prepared for a no-compromise battle.
The latter sighed in disappointment. "And here I was, wanting a laid-back encounter, but if that's what you want.." The smile she always wore slowly faded away, as did her playful tone. "Then so be it."
Her light-speed attack was effortlessly dodged as Minerva anticipated it, countering with a hard swing to her face with her left elbow.
She was surprised to say the least, seeing Ayuna recoil back from such a blow in a rather.. Human way–it dawned on her that Ayuna's attacks were inhumanly fast and powerful, but her defence could say the opposite. She couldn't say immediately, but from that reaction–it could just be of a calibre like herself.
Confidence built up within Minerva, who now believed it was possible to strike a human polymorph like Ayuna down if she played her cards right–but what was playing her cards right exactly?
Was it fleeing again and again from her attacks? It couldn't be—Ayuna had a much higher energy storage than a human, the one to tire out first would be herself rather than the former. Ayuna also enjoyed chasing down her opponents, meaning she would've been very close to her no matter the corner she went to.
Was it facing her head on with magic? It couldn't be either—It served as a decent buffer, she was once able to hold her down for a brief moment with it, but it was easily broken down.
The most logical answer had to be mixing both. That's right, so far that was the only answer she could muster.
Part of her conclusion was ending the fight as soon as possible. She knew she was dead meat if it prolonged any longer than.. How long? Two minutes?
Minerva blocked her attacks with her cutlass and dodged with her speed, extruding calmness in spite of the deadly force before her. Yet as she blocked more, she couldn't help but flinch—her cutlass, forged by the masters of weaponsmithing back in her homeland, began to crack to Ayuna, whose blows were as powerful as cannon–no, even more, and as hard as a ruby.
She dashed back, sending forth various water spells she could muster on a whim to slow her down. It was reckless, but a fighter like her would consider it a viable strategy.
She hid the cutlass in her scabbard as a pillar of ice erected before her. She thrusted her fist forward and pulled out a glistening spear of ice, its air was so cold, it froze the ground around it.
Indeed, Minerva was regarded as the "Master of Swords" by all students in the academy, but was she adept with something like a spear? However, Ayuna could care less about what weapon her foe used.
As a show to that, she charged in with killing intent, her bone-crushing blows nearly landing on Minerva if it just weren't for her skills–a byproduct of her reflexes and anticipation.
Ayuna was no meathead, she had been countering Minerva's distancing strategy through applying pressure by constantly closing the distance, which would easily render her spear; a weapon for range, useless. No matter how much the latter retreated, Ayuna was faster, she could do twice the movement than Minerva per second.
The latter realised her mistake by bringing in a spear–it was indeed her fault by allowing her confidence to let through, thinking she could force the polymorph away by threatening her with a spear—it was easier said than done.
Quickly, she dropped her spear amidst Ayuna's swing, pulling out her cutlass as fast as she could with her left hand.
Luck had joined her side, just barely avoiding crushing her organs by tanking it with the flat of her blade.
Within that very second, she mustered up all her strength and experience in a backhanded thrust, adjusting herself to provide her left arm the most transfer of energy possible, supported by a push from the right hand.
It all happened in the blink of an eye, the sound of a blade piercing through the muscle and tissues beneath the skin–Ayuna froze.
With a brief but spirited growl, Minerva pushed it down, piercing her ribs and stone-hard heart.
For a moment.. Relief flushed Minerva's entirety, only to escape as she met the sly grin marked in Ayuna's face.
The latter brought her hands together and slammed them down the flat of her cutlass, a loud pop ringing in their ears as she snapped the blade.
Minerva dashed back as fast as possible, the sheer terror kicking in only now.
Her eyes were as wide as can be as if she saw a ghost, while her hands trembled. Soon enough, it would be her entire body as well.
How could this be? How did the durable cutlass she trusted her life with.. How did the cutlass that was essentially her extra limb, break off so easily?
Her heart raced as an irritable sensation grew in the back of her mind–anger, confusion, and sadness, they all ran her over in an instant like a horse-drawn carriage.
Amidst the revelation, she realised the most crucial thing—she could no longer cast her magic.
Panic instantly invaded, yet she did her best to fight back all these feelings and remained composed.
Ayuna raised a brow, her grin shrinking to a closed smile. "Aw, you don't have to keep in all your emotions." As she stepped forward and pulled the bloody blade off her chest without flinching, Minerva stepped backwards, her fists up and ready to defend herself.
She giggled. "You want a fistfight? We can do that, but I can't assure you won't lose your limbs in the process..–Make that your head."
Ayuna was enjoying every single moment–to see her enemy, a lion regarded as one of the best, one that radiated composure, elegance, intellect, and skill, reduced to a kitten who, even with all odds stacked against her, stood to fight against the wolf.
Truly, she admired the determination of Minerva Grosvenor, but she believed that same feeling won't bring her to her level.
Minerva's lips trembled, yet her mind and body began to keep a hold of itself, hiding the fear running through her veins.
She could only muster a gasp as she realised Ayuna standing right before her, her right fist swinging to her face–normally, she would've reacted in time, but the lag brought upon by her turbulent psyche refused.
"—HAAAAAAAAA——!" A huge ray of light emerged from Minerva's right, engulfing Ayuna in the nick of time. The scream snapped Minerva back, allowing her to dash backwards in time.
She looked to her right, utterly surprised to see a man; his hair as silver as the mineral of the same name. His eyes, usually either jaded or uninviting, reflecting a blazing fire that wasn't set to die so easily. His mouth, marked with a frown deeper than he usually wore.
That's right, this person standing there, whose arm was extended and held by the other, was the one and only–Sévir van Doren.
She could feel an unknown, but electrifying feeling jolt through every fibre of her being as their eyes met. Was it a sense of hope?
He dashed towards her and pulled her by the arm, dashing back farther from his original position.
"Are you alright?" asked the voice she hadn't heard of for days.
Speechless, she could only nod after regaining stability. A whole wave of information surged through her head—he wasn't only an air and fire user, but a light user? When did he arrive? If he arrived earlier, why didn't he meet up then? Was he the ball of light she caught a glimpse of when Ayuna passed by the window? She had so many unanswered questions.
They both looked in the same direction–where a loud giggle emitted.
The dust and smoke picked up, revealing Ayuna, who stood perfectly fine.
"How wonderful.. We have Minerva Grosvenor, or should I say.. The Second Undefeated.." She gazed at Sévir. "And Sévir van Doren, or should I say.. The Little Gang Killer!?"
They both tensed up–Sévir from the revelation of Ayuna, a servant of the Trystas, knowing his alias, and Minerva from the revelation of Sévir being the notorious figure that everyone in the Southern Districts–no, the whole city was aware of.
The sole figure that at one point, brought the entire [Gang Society] down to its knees–the sole figure not commended for his actions, but reprimanded and classified as an [S-tier Criminal]—the Little Gang Killer—Sévir van Doren.
Minerva took a step back, a hint of distrust lingering in the back of her mind.. All this time, she had been friends with an S-tier Criminal? No, it was more like she had been forcing a friendship.. But that wasn't the point right now. He had never shown any signs of it, so would it be safe to say he wasn't planning something evil?
Sévir stepped forward, his gaze stuck at Ayuna. "You must be doubting me right now, Minerva."
"I..–"
"Minerva, it's needless to say I'm a man of many secrets, when being mysterious and the Pariah Prince is already enough, there's me being the Little Gang Killer.
It makes me less credible as a harmless figure.. But even so, I have a goal to accomplish, and I need you for it."
Finally, he turned to her and extended his left hand. "That might make me sound less trustful.. But will you take the gamble and trust me, even if just for this once?"
Their eyes met, sparking a conversation of its own.. After what felt like forever amidst the silence, filled with a "soothing tension", she extended her hand and grabbed his. They shook hands, and that was all they needed to confirm.
Ayuna clasped her hands together. "What an interesting sight.. I gave you guys time to do your thing, and it wasn't disappointing.. Alas, I have to let you two know–those who cross my path, will never be able to move forward, nor backward.. Unless.."
Her eyes glowed a brighter shade of red, followed by a mysterious smoke of the same colour erupting from her hands–a smoke which expanded very quickly and transformed their area to a mist-like sea of red.
The two were stunned as they were confused.. Just what tricks were she pulling out? What type of magic was this? Based Minerva's knowledge, the Sword of the Blood Moon–Ayuna, only carried light magic.
"You two must be thinking how I'm pulling this off.. But you needn't think of such things if you'll be dying later." She extended her right arm, pointing in-between them. "But, if you two manage to escape, then I'll let you guys off.. If you don't, then, you know." A mischievous giggle escaped her mouth, but it was only expected from the likes of her.
He crouched, opening his arms. He needn't utter a single word as Minerva caught on and climbed onto him. He stood up and carried her in a piggyback. "Hold tight."