After the whole fight with the three shadows...
And the mysterious masked man.
Every one of them was left injured, both minor and major. Raven had the most with mental damage, the [Bloodlust] ability she had got to her mind and was turned partially savage.
She was the fastest to recover, though, along the Seekers.
Valtan did not get that kind of recovery speed, his large stature and tough body was a problem but the reason was because he took on the most hits.
The elusive shadow decided to target the large man during the battle, completely ignoring the Seekers. At first glance it looked as if that shadow couldn't penetrate the tough armor of Valtan, but it was actually cutting shallow scraps of it on several weak points of Valtan's body.
The slender shadow who was a mage, specialized in mind attacks and attacking them while feeling disoriented. The feeling of forgetfulness they felt was because of that reason, while Valtan has good resistance to such attacks, he was still affected even if it was a little.
Each time he got too close, the shadow would concentrate all focus on disorienting him, get the distance and then send arrow head beams of magic to push him back, while also making the cuts the elusive shadow made deeper.
The third shadow, was even more harsh.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Stopping at the door to Valtan's room, Raven enters the room with a knock and looks at the man who was said to be immovable, fearless, and indestructible, now laying in bed.
Raven was being assaulted by the mind attack the shadows were using, while also being targeted by the shape shifting shadow. Valtan had to interface while Raven was suppressing the effects of [Bloodlust], the shadow turned into Valtan's form and thus defeated him.
His body was beaten, his armor broke, several burns and bruises and much more deep cuts. It was only thanks to his Title's ability that he still survived, but he'll be stuck on a very, very long coma.
***
About three days...
The Seekers of Ravens squad were atleast healthy enough to be on their own, Elmira and Will left for family issues and now Leah and Han were the only ones who could attend the whole interrogation.
Leah was currently standing at a small park just outside the Inner Grid's northernmost city, it was like any other city though probably one of the cleanest places.
She was wearing her bodysuit underneath because she was too nervous to even think about changing out of it, plus reluctant to since it felt safe and comfortable.
On top though, she was wearing some baggy pants and a comfy sky blue blouse, her gray hair tied into a pony tail. She was leaning against a pole and emitted a fearless aura, for the average Joe though, she looked like a flawless beauty.
Everywhere around her, people couldn't help but glance at her. She wasn't the most beautiful, but she was atleast not considered to be on par with the average men and women.
Suddenly, two rather tall men walked up to her.
They had worn sleeveless hoodies and shorts despite it being cold in the North, they had gold chains and wore sunglasses too.
Suddenly, everyone looking cast their eyes away, already worried for the young girl.
Feeling as though the sun was blocked from her eyes, she looked up and saw the two men towering over her.
The blonde man whistled and said, in a provocative tone:
"Hey there little lady, you seem lonely, you aren't waiting for someone are you??"
He grinned and leaned closer, blocking her left path. The man in brown hair smiled and blocked her right path, he then said in a lustful tone:
"If you aren't... Then why don't you come have some fun with us, hmm?"
Leah did not respond, her eyes shut closed as if the two men do not exist at all.
The blonde grumbled and was about to reach out to her...
RRRRRRRRAATTLLLEEE....
A rattling sound echoed in their ears, then they felt as if their throats was being choked tight by something scaly.
Leah opened her eyes and glanced at what's Infront of her.
The two men gasped for air as the pressure on their necks disappeared and staggered back, then felt as if someone was staring daggers at them from behind. They were met with the sight of a young looking man, pale skin, dark hair and dark sharp eyes. The man was wearing comfy black pants and had a grayish white, long sleeved shirt, he then grinned and spoke in a polite tone:
"You average humans really can't tell the difference between you and a Seeker, huh?"
The two men grew pale and then looked back at the young girl, she sighed and pushed herself off the pole.
Only then did they feel the aura and the strength difference between them and a person of the second rank, they felt fear.
" Stop it, Han. You've kept me waiting, let's go."
Her voice sounded indifferent, she walked passed the pale young man and gave them a sly grin. He then caught up to Leah and they walked into the GOA headquarters, this one was only stationed in the north.
Leah glanced at Han who was walking besides her, her shoes were dirty and didn't felt like buying new ones and now she's wearing heels, clicking on the marble of the floor.
It wasn't everyday she wore heels so she felt as though she would stumble over any moment.
"Want me to carry you or hold your hand while you walk~?"
At Hans teasing remarks, she swung her hands aiming for a slap but was easily dodged, she wasn't trying anyway and just let out a sigh.
"You didn't have to drop the bombshell on those two knuckleheads earlier, y'know?"
Han laughed as they both turn a corner, and then stop just right outside the door, with a name tag written:
"Oowashi."
He sighed and then glanced at Leah.
"So what? Those dudes looked like they were about to piss their pants! Anyways let's just get this interrogation over with, and I doubt it'll be quick since it's ma'am Oowashi who'll interrogate us..."
[Name: Oowashi]
[Title: Queen Of The Skies]
[Rank: Master]
[Class: Mystic]
[Experience: ???/300 → 36]
[Prestige: 0 → 1]
***
"Big brother! Where is my big brother!!?"
Inside the the headquarters...
The elf girl has made a ruckus, yelling and crying, asking where her big brother is. Obviously no one knew, they thought that she was talking about another slave person who she sees as an older brother.
"Hey, calm down now... Look! Candy~ candy~"
A nervous and worried nurse tries calming her down but the child flicked the candy off her hands.
She's been going at this for three days, how could they bring themselves to tell her that her big brother is possibly no more...
Is what they thought...
Knock. Knock.
Creaak...
"Big..."
The elf girl suddenly turned her head, she smelled something familiar and the aura she felt when the door opened.
"Seeker Han, I have come for the interrogation..."
Why is the elf girl here...
Leah came through the door as well and tilted her head in confusion.
The whole room was a mess littered with broken shelves, tossed around food and toys, curtains and blankets ripped and very sleep deprived and tired nurses.
"Big brother!"
The elf girl yelped and ran as quickly as she could towards Han, immediately jumping off the ground with height that a child like her wasn't capable of doing.
Han caught her and sighed, bringing the kid to sit on top of his shoulders.
The nurses were rather dumbfounded, they were not expecting a... Child... Like him, not even an elf, to be the kids big brother.
"Big brother???"
"Seeker you say?"
"Woah, it's the popular Seeker! Princess Leah!"
The first few nurses only had focused on the pale man being the big brother and the said Seeker, despite his youthful looks...
Only then did their gazes turn to the figure just behind the man, Leah...
Rolling his eyes he glanced at Leah and whispered:
"Maybe that should be you Title hm?"
She scoffed and slapped his arm and they walked out of the room - with the elf girl still with han - and asked around the facility, after they found Oowashi's office, they let out one last sigh before entering.
***
"Who were the three shadows?"
"What were their Ranks?"
"What were their classes!?"
"What were their abilities!?"
"Did they have a title??"
"We're you able to make out their faces?"
"What did they look like?"
"How did you last long, you're only Seekers!"
"What were their weaknesses!?"
"Strengths?? What the hell you mean they were strong?? I meant... Whatever!"
Under the whole barrage of questions, Han and Leah couldn't even answer all of them with enough confidence. Madam Oowashi's gaze was too fierce and the questions she asked... All of their questions were "I don't know!"
The elf girl was currently just outside the room, playing with Seiji, surprisingly she also liked the kind man. She wasn't causing a ruckus, so that was good atleast.
" And lastly, who was the "ghost" man who had a Kitsune half masked?"
They tensed up.
Han was unconscious that time and glanced at Leah.
Leah was formulating an answer but even she didn't know, it all happened so fast!
Sigh...
Letting out a sigh, Oowashi took out a pack of cigarettes, put one in between her lips and blew on it. Smoke came off the end and it started to burn.
What a weird way to use one of your abilities!
"I don't need a good answer, I saw the vague and small silhouette of the man to. Although I was far away that time, so I need your answers."
She leaned back in her chair, her voice was rather soft this time as she spoke, a ring of smoke flew up.
"What happened to the three reported shadows, and why was the only one left looked as if she was shell shocked and traumatized for the past three days?"
Leah and Han were a bit surprised, they actually kept that shadow alive?
And what she said to...
Shell shocked and traumatized? Just who was that man, to make someone from the Outer Grids be that scarred for life?
"I... I don't know, all I saw that time was... One of the shadows were extending their arm at captain Raven, then everything went black for a few moments..."
She let out a long breath and looked at Oowashi, who's already half done with the pack of cigarettes...
"And then?"
She asked, sounding bored and not entertained.
Leah continued:
"The next moment, it was hard to breath for some reason, it was like there was a small pressure on my body. Then I looked up... Saw the masked man, the first shadow lept and... Disappeared, I heard his scream and then it faded at the same time his body disintegrated."
Han looked rather mortified. How the hell, that elusive shadow was that scared that it tried running away, what's more is that he couldn't even get that far.
' how terrifying is that "ghost" guy they were talking about? '
That he probably doesn't even want to know!
"Then the second shadow... It went black again and he was gone, all I heard was the movement of the ground and then it disappeared. That was when my vision was starting to blur, I was passing out, that last thing I heard was captain slashing at something... The world grew still and I felt that invisible pressure grow stronger, I couldn't breath, move, or think..."
That was all she could say...
Though...
Oowashi was smiling, why?
" Intriguing. Say, those shadows were Lower Sages, y'know? They were Mystic Class too, is what we found out from the female shadow."
Han and Leah flinched at the news.
Lower Sages?
So they were just going easy on us...
"If I'm being honest, your captain Raven is amazing to even last that long."
She chuckled and threw the empty pack of cigarettes away and sighed deeply.
"But I don't know though, they were probably not even going all out, I bet."
She stood up and patted both Han and Leah on their shoulders and looked at Seiji and the elf girl currently eating dumplings.
" Rest well now. Maybe go on dates, that's what you youths do the most now right?"
At her teasing remarks, that was rare to come by, even Seiji was shocked to see his always stoic and emotionless senior smiling or even joking around!
Leah blushed and stood up to retort
" D... Don't just assume that!"
Han sighed and immediately appeared beside the little elf girl, picked her up while she was eating dumplings, and then went to go leave.
" Let's go, Leah."
He tried acting nonchalant. Leah still had her modesty and bowed deeply before exiting with Han, Seiji and Oowashi though, they could clearly see Han's ears growing bright red.
" Ahh~ youth"
" This generation is so amusing."
***
" Big brother! Aren't you going to give me a name? You promised !!"
They were now outside, the streets are lively and the sun is shining through the tall peaks of the mountains.
They got a message from Raven to meet up by the small park Leah was waiting at before.
"I know, I know, I was in bed the past three days okay? I'll think of a name for you while we walk, okay?"
That seemed to cheer the elf girl up, Leah couldn't help but smile.
A child looking young man with an actual child.
What a comical sight to witness.
"Oh! Lovebirds!"
Their attention was suddenly diverted to a towering figure, she was wearing a jacket with a sports symbol on it and shorts revealing very toned thighs.
Reaching atleast almost six foot, olive colored skin, chocolate brown hair that's looks tomboyish.
"You two going on a date or something?"
Han and Leah were already tired of the teasing so they just sighed and shook their heads, it appears that Elmira was going to be interviewed as well.
"Where's that wimpy brother of yours?"
Han asked and suddenly felt a cold shiver down his spine.
"Who the hell are you calling wimpy you
ra—"
" Cut it out, Leo. Hey you two, it's been a while."
Will and Leo are now in one piece.
They exchanged a few words to each other, passing along some small conversation and whatnot. Elmira and Will went to head of towards the headquarters, and Leah and Han are left together once more.
They finally met up with Raven!
" Good afternoon ma'am!"
" Good afternoon!!"
They were about to salute but raven raised her hand, turned around to face them while chewing on some dango.
" I'm on leave, no need for the formalities."
She chewed some more and then drowned it down with some soda.
" How was the interrogation?"
" Fine."
" Why did you call us here, Ms. Raven?"
At Leah's question, she tilted her head to the side for a bit then handed them some treats.
She then turned to walk away...
What...
Uh...
They both followed anyway.
" I just wanted some company, it's not everyday you get to have a day off, no?"
She explained, and then kept walking around the crowded streets while checking out stalls and shops.
Leah and Han didn't mind since they could relate.
They were low leveled so they had to get their stats up if they want to earn some money, going on dungeons and joining a team of adventurers on small Domains and such.
"These treats are good, ahh I am so sick of those cheap hard tacks!"
Han took another bite of a sweet treat, closing his eyes in bliss.
He handed some to Leah and Raven as well so they could get a taste.
Leah was a big fan of sweets so her mouth was watering severely, Raven though only nodded and closed her eyes as if she was some food critique.
Bump!
As they were walking, they bump into a young girl, who looks to be the same age as Leah.
Her bags were dropped to the ground and was everywhere.
"Ah sorry for that."
"We'll help!"
Raven and Leah went to help pick some stuff up.
The elf girl who was beside Han, picked up a few bags and something slipped out of it.
A half kitsune mask...
The girl they bumped into tensed up for a bit and then continued picking up her stuff.
Leah and seemed as though the mask seemed familiar...
But Raven though, knew it all too well.
It's color was black with long narrow eyes that covered what's underneath, long pointed ears, the material it was made of seemed like it was both wood an marble.
But there was a small cut, from the forehead just beside the ears and all the way down, it looked like it was glued together.
"Say, young lady..."
Raven said in a low, dangerous tone.
"Where did you get this mask?"
Her blade was suddenly summoned, appeared from strings of black.
Leah suddenly realized it as well and glanced at the hooded young girl.
Han felt something about to go down and led the young elf girl away for a bit, with the excuse of going to meet Will and Elmira.
Then, the girl... Picked up the mask carefully...
And slowly...
And then dashed quickly.
She was swift and avoided Ravens sword, only cutting a piece of her hood.
Leah went after the girl along with Han who already disappeared into the alley ways.
"Stop where you're going!"
Raven yelled and caught up to the fleeing girl, she dodged a few more sword swipes and then jumped high onto the roof of several houses.
"Tsk, I'm definitely going to get in trouble!"
She muttered to herself, whining while avoiding Leah's naginata several times.
***