The sky became dark, black merging with crimson, and thick misty clouds rolled over the surprisingly canvas. A wolf’s howl hollered through the icy air and triggered their fellow wolves. A roar of a grizzly echoed through the trees that rose from the ground, joined by a subtle quake. The cry of a lion made its way to the fellowship, loud and strong like royalty. For a minute, there was silence. Ane felt the lingering silence on her skin, and she was about to move, before the shrieking came from above. The princess lifted her head and faced vultures circling above them. She cursed within, and gathered courage within.182Please respect copyright.PENANAFsQHL5J7A0
“Say goodbye to your magic,” whispered Peita.182Please respect copyright.PENANAxeGz0ajXE2
“I will use it when necessary, though,” muttered Bethil, shook by a sense of anxiety.182Please respect copyright.PENANA7jzVDyuXfT
“You can’t,” grinned Peita, “I abandoned all magic.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAiXEd6iXYed
Ane’s eyes widened as she looked at Peita’s feasting smirk. She couldn’t blame him; they were harmless. Right? Right.182Please respect copyright.PENANALsO7bsEQer
“And remember,” began Vastice, “focus on yourself now. They’re not that aggressive yet.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAuRz1kIha7V
“If you don’t focus on them, they won’t focus on you, remember that. This way, it’ll give you time to properly train.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAzGOh0Pl5P3
The group nodded, and all except Peita, Vastice, Tully and Pitér, they felt a tad of fear. Either because of the intimidating scenery around them, or because they’ve never really had the time to fight these animals. Peita snapped her fingers, and the show began.182Please respect copyright.PENANAfOkabO5WUm
Ane completely focused on the wolves, and faced them with her claymore tight in her hands. Out of the darkness, through trees that were thick and sturdy, a wolf came fast and steady. It jumped, and reached a level higher than Ane. The princess rose her claymore with both hands as she looked up. The air around her was split by the blade, and the tip pierced the fur, and later the chest of the wolf, who yelped and fell on top of Ane. She quite easily made her way from underneath the animal, and had to think quick as the next wolf was already lunging forward, this time in direction of Ane’s abdomen. The princess spun until her side was facing the wolf. She grabbed her claymore in both hands, turned the blade to the wolf, and jammed it to her left, effortlessly planting it in the wolf’s eye. She yanked her weapon out of his eye, but hadn’t prepared for the next wolf. It jumped on her, and Ane barely had any time to protect herself. She hit the ground and used her claymore to stop the wolf’s beak from reaching her face. It was aggressive and she felt his claws pierce Ane’s clothes. An arrow neatly saved Ane, and the wolf fell to the side, an arrow bathing in red blood.182Please respect copyright.PENANAqP6iqEYpF3
“You’re welcome” grinned Marrie. Her spear was gold and brown and shone in the moonlight. Ane now took the time to take in her surroundings. Little time did she have, as the next wolf came at her.182Please respect copyright.PENANAQPMX6Zc7JD
Elliot’s longsword was making waves. He had killed one grizzly, with a little help of Bethil nonetheless, but now was facing his own bear all by himself. As it stood on his paws, it towered over Elliot graciously and left Elliot utterly intimidated. The longsword that he carried in his hands trembled slightly, but Elliot found his composure as soon as he realised he couldn’t truly die. The roar of the bear startled everybody for a split second, but not Elliot. Elliot, either dumb or quick, used this moment to attack the bear. He lunged himself forward, and jumped up. The bear turned to his side, and Elliot could only slice open skin of the bear his left, front paw. The grizzly made an angry sound and Elliot neatly landed back on his feet to the bear’s side.182Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8oUpk9IWQ
“Stupid bear,” he hissed. His enemy placed all his four paws on the floor and looked at Elliot with a rather angry expression. Elliot knew what this meant. Right as the bear lunged forward, so did Elliot, his weapon neatly positioned forward. Before the moment of collision, Elliot felt air tighten around his throat out of nervousness. He rose his sword, and aimed it right between the bear’s ears. He planted it down, stopped the bear in the middle of his tracks. He blessed the sword and moved on to the next animal.182Please respect copyright.PENANAhy2bGpbrBO
Bethil was circling with the lion. He found it a tad ironic. He wished he’d be allowed to use magic, and have a fun time with his fellow beast. Yet he couldn’t, so he was consciously holding his short swords in each hand. It had probably been the easiest for him, as he had felt the beastly fighting style in his own body before, yet this still felt different. They were more aggressive, faster and at the same time smarter. Although the latter could be debated. However, Bethil knew that as the levels would rise, so would the cleverness of the animals. Come on, Bethil, the young shapeshifter told himself, time to attack. The lion then lunged forward, aiming right for Bethil’s neck. Typical, thought Bethil, and he dodged it neatly by rolling over the floor. Out of everyone in the group, Bethil fought the most defensive. As everybody was slashing and hacking, Bethil first analysed the lion’s tactics – not that he needed to. He knew the lion would attack Bethil’s neck mainly, using only teeth and front paws. So that left few options; either the lion’s neck which was hidden behind a layer of manes, or his behind. Bethil was aware of his own skills that he learned through his form as a tiger as well, so that made it easier.182Please respect copyright.PENANAW93bmIk22Z
He lunged forward, the lion did the same, nearly copying his moves, but Bethil jumped fast, and spun around as soon as he landed. He then rapidly approached the lion, who had nearly turned around, setting his left blade in the left back paw. The lion yelped, but lunged at Bethil once again, this time jumping. Odd, thought Bethil, as he had just harmed one of the parts where much force was put in when jumping.182Please respect copyright.PENANA490s3YDUwL
“Sorry,” apologised Bethil, as he planted his right sword underneath the lion’s manes, piercing his neck. The lion dropped down when Bethil swiftly pulled out his sword.182Please respect copyright.PENANAEoYElZxK2m
Daphne had swiftly killed two wolves, but now faced the vultures. They circled high. She contemplated her options, and it all came down to the fact that she couldn’t wait till they’d land. Magic wouldn’t work, but Daphne’s wings were no magic.182Please respect copyright.PENANA3l93UVVCHn
“What are you going to do?” asked Tully, when she noticed Daphne was staring at the vultures.182Please respect copyright.PENANAvgj8XB9FL5
“Fly,” answered Daphne, and she unfolded her hideous wings. She jumped once and her wings did the rest. Soon, she was mingling with the vultures. Her leathery wings took the scratches from the claws well, but Daphne’s own skin didn’t. Seven vultures. She managed to hit two of them with her falchion, but the others one neatly dodged it. Daphnelle’s wings were bigger than the vulture’s, making it harder for her to be as mobile. While she cursed, she swung her falchion once more, hitting a wing of one of the vultures. She turned to her victim, grabbed his neck and snapped it. She dropped the thing before bloodshed would be on her hand. Four more to go. One of the vultures attacked Daphne bluntly, causing both winged fighters to struggle with each other. While Daphnelle was doing her best to stay up and not crash down and keep the vulture’s claws from damaging crucial places, the vulture was being anything but kind. Aggressively, his beak also tried to pick Daphne’s eyes and remaining horn. It didn’t take long before the other three vultures jumped on Daphne, sending her straight down the ground. The hard crash didn’t faze Daphne, as she stood up immediately, thanking the gods for letting the falchion not slice herself – as the falchion still was damaging – and folded her wings. With her feet on the ground, Daphne did feel a bit more secure, and she took the vultures out one by one. Not without effort; the fifth vulture had bit her in her neck, yet luckily there’d be no damage.182Please respect copyright.PENANAhh387JtROa
The other eight just seemed like they had the best time. Intertwined in a brutal routine with their foes, they danced their way into taking them out neatly and precisely, almost as if they’d trained this exact pattern of movements and attacks. Ane found Marrie the most impressive; her dance with the spear was the most elegant and seemed the most professional. While the others were playing around rather brutally, it felt as if Marrie was tiptoeing on water lily’s, considering every move thoughtfully. Her spear was the elongation of her feathery body, floating through the skies, taking out wolves, lions and bears. It was insanely admirable, and Ane wondered where Marrie got her elegance from. The splatters of blood on her clothes and face made Marrie irresistibly gorgeous. It was enchanting, but Ane had to focus on her own enemies.182Please respect copyright.PENANA2jJalcGz6r
Hours went by, and by the time that they’d reached the seventh floor, they were exhausted. It would all come down to teamwork right now. They had subtly observed each other’s fighting styles over the past while. It was pretty easy to determine who fought the most offensive. If you’d rank the twelve from most to least beastly, it’d be Peita, Daphnelle, Bethil, Lewir, Pitér, Tully, Livi, Vastice, Ane, Jarco, Elliot and Marrie. Brutes would have to stick close to those who fought tactically, just to keep them safe from unexpected dangers. Three groups of four; Peita, Pitér and Ane; Daphnelle, Tully and Jarco; Bethil, Livi and Elliot; Lewir, Vastice and Marrie. Generally good pairs, thought Ane, but she couldn’t count on Peita and Vastice during the real fight, so she considered that greatly as she was grouped with Peita.182Please respect copyright.PENANABjkEbnm1kh
The fights in groups went rather smooth and they easily adapted to each other. Peita saved Ane numerous times and Pitér did his best to keep Peita safe as well. The most troublesome group was probably Daphne, Tully and Jarco’s; their fighting styles just didn’t get along. Tully fought professionally, Daphne felt brutally and Jarco tactically. They just couldn’t feel each other’s moves and it ended in each of them getting attacked several times though it could’ve been avoided with proper teamwork.182Please respect copyright.PENANAgjRt5C5auk
“Daphne, get Tully’s back!” yelled Jarco. Daphne did as he said.182Please respect copyright.PENANAM02mHOJxV0
“You can do it too, you know?” she snapped.182Please respect copyright.PENANAnCp32h0xbs
“Guys, don’t fight each other,” said Tully.182Please respect copyright.PENANAbEkKOEoX7T
“We’ve got to work together,” interrupted Jarco, ignoring Tully completely.182Please respect copyright.PENANA4Mo5d8knST
“I am trying to protect each of you, including myself. You just fight far too defensively! How about you stop analysing their attacks and get our backs instead of only caring about yourself,” accused Daphne.182Please respect copyright.PENANAYbdyO26Df8
“We need someone who actually observes them as well,” scowled Jarco.182Please respect copyright.PENANAgX31K3QxMr
“What is that supposed to mean? We all do,” frowned Tully. “Let’s just con–”182Please respect copyright.PENANAhf1wsRaHHa
“I just think that you just fight too held-back,” said Jarco.182Please respect copyright.PENANAFeI0r53m6d
“That’s coming from someone who spends five turns blocking and one turn attacking,” muttered Daphne.182Please respect copyright.PENANAI64ierG3Ka
“That’s called wearing them out.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAvKRdymf8zS
“It’s called wasting precious time.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAwnwgNJFLoZ
“We have to continue,” shouted Tully. “You two know each other better than I know any of you. Get along and let’s fight.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAfsDQhlvqLM
“She’s right. Let’s just get this over with. Get our backs,” sighed Daphne.182Please respect copyright.PENANAmG1ytiJ9qt
Jarco nodded. “Let’s do our best.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAGVnnAAwKuR
The trio nodded once again, and turned their focus back to the hurdle. After the seventh floor was handled, they all had to rest. Nearly none of them except Peita, Tully and Pitér left the arena without at least some illusionary scratches.182Please respect copyright.PENANAgq8Bx2Ab6f
“I’m… exhausted,” huffed Lewir. He placed his falchion with the other weapons and sat down on the bench outside. He had also taken a flask of water.182Please respect copyright.PENANAFEMOaO49t2
“It sure was,” agreed Marrie, also drinking from her own flask.182Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZiL251l2r
“So… why exactly do you lot want to go to the Eastern Bay?” asked Peita, nonchalantly leaning against the wall.182Please respect copyright.PENANASbUPvju46q
“I heard the only way of reaching the core is through the Eastern Bay,” replied Ane.182Please respect copyright.PENANAZeVwbEmE99
“And why exactly do you want to go there?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAshDC3sssWb
“We are on a quest,” Ane said, a little insecure.182Please respect copyright.PENANAXvQDrN0RLK
“Oh, a quest? Are you doing a good job so far?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAHaCVRSWGdH
“I would say so,” nodded Ane, looking at her comrades, receiving agreement.182Please respect copyright.PENANAnSTSvMau0e
“Nice. I like my people with conviction. Now, drink up your hydration and follow me. There is something I’d like to show you,” said Peita, and she began walking south of the cabin. The others followed her and watched as the scenery in front of them changed back to a treeless, sunny environment. Every step that Peita took set off into a new spark of a joyful landscape. It was almost as if she carried a cloth with her, painted with sparkling colours, which dripped over the saturated landscape.182Please respect copyright.PENANAHRKMYFhqML
They followed her, into the forest, and through an intricate path of bushes, trees and strangely exotic plants. Once they reached a tiny pond with fireflies hovering over the watery surface, they all stood around the circle. It was almost as if the area was made to be surrounded by exactly twelve people. Exactly twelve, no more or less. Peita reached out to Vastice’s hand, standing to her right, and to Ane’s hand, to her left. Almost like a chain reaction, everybody held each other’s hands without questioning it. And like a magical twist, it sparked off. The fireflies bundled into a spiral of light headed right to the sky and erupted into a shower of light that rained over the twelve. It draped over their hair like glistening rain and trailed down their bodies. And each and every one of them felt the same sense of victory, levitation and satisfaction, almost as if they’ve just been blessed with divinity.182Please respect copyright.PENANA5d6wksqsmO
Peita was the first one to break the chain and she faced the eleven others.182Please respect copyright.PENANAocelcHL03k
“What has just happened?” asked Ane.182Please respect copyright.PENANAhgK1Rax9vm
“This is one of the small sources where there is a direct connection between magic and mortality. What just happened is what people call the Divination, a ritual which takes away any unnecessary springs of fate and replaces them with fulfilment, courage and fortune. It can only be initiated when the fireflies feel like it’s worth giving the mortals this blessing.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAsWGNEjAYhr
“So… nothing bad will happen to us?” asked Livi softly.182Please respect copyright.PENANAZ331ebZKrH
“Only your own will can break the blessing. It’s no guarantee you won’t receive a hit or two, but luck will always find its way back to you. Once you dragged your own will through and decide to go against the instincts of the blessing, nobody can tell what will happen to you next,” said Peita.182Please respect copyright.PENANAHpGC543CLf
“Why did you lay the blessing upon yourself?” asked Elliot genuinely curiously.182Please respect copyright.PENANArOd8j0CpKb
“You did not think I would let you out in the wilderness by your own? Besides, I’ve got stuff to finish in the Eastern Bay as well,” Peita grinned.
Ane bathed in warm, soothing water. Bubbles floated on top of the water, and the princess looked out the window. She had forgotten this comfort and had time to finally get her thoughts together. Her father. Eucilde Masques, man of honour. Kinslot was now ruled by Dawn and Ane’s mother. Solid memories crashed in on her, and she slid deeper into the water, to let her tears merge with the water. It was a mix of sour and sweet and it tasted like bloody powder in Ane’s mouth. She’d barely shown one ounce of regret towards leaving Kinslot when she did, but she was questioning her trail of decisions. And she was wondering who killed her father. Her thoughts faded over to Aris. A secondary mother figure. Her elegance, soft voice but quirky personality. Elliot had not brought up the loss of his mother once, but Ane was more than sure that he was filled with sorrow and grief. Anevay had no idea how to apologise either, she didn’t know what to say or do. In the moment, it seemed right. Had she made a mistake? Was their time not over yet? Aris was so young. A life to live with her son. She’d never see her son figure out who he truly was. She’d never see his son become a man with power and luck. Ane didn’t blame herself, but deep down she knew it was her fault. It had shredded some pieces of her, but she had to stay strong. For herself, and also for Elliot. She cried, and buried her face under the water.182Please respect copyright.PENANASpTC8IYTiX
Dinner was nice. A time for food and company and chatting. Ane had been quiet, the entire time, and of course Elliot had noticed. So before dessert, Elliot offered to have a walk with Ane, alone.182Please respect copyright.PENANAMbceQE8mIP
“We shall return soon,” said Ane as the two of them left the table.182Please respect copyright.PENANApaV1AYYWDp
“More food for us,” heard Elliot Daphne say, before he opened the door for Ane.182Please respect copyright.PENANApIejt9K21T
“What is bugging you?” he asked. He wouldn’t say it was cold at all, but the sudden change of temperature did faze him for a split second.182Please respect copyright.PENANArBlLj9xHjv
“I have just been thinking about our loss,” replied Ane, bluntly but honestly.182Please respect copyright.PENANAQQt7mA8fZt
“Anevay… I… I never blamed you,” said Elliot. “I knew it was bound to happen one day.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAMkLEu7OvVc
“How did you know?”182Please respect copyright.PENANASnbBMn0nGD
“Jarco taught me a lot more than you might have thought.”182Please respect copyright.PENANADTJF5kHgKm
“And… you know she was –”182Please respect copyright.PENANAbC0XfuKpui
“I knew that the next generation had to finish the previous era. When we figured out we were the new generation, it got clear to me quickly.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAONDD5sSPgK
“And… you were okay with that? Why did you never tell me?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAAwsoka0k2p
“I did not want to make you hesitate or not do it. It hurts. I loved my mother, obviously. Yet I cannot blame you. I am happy it was you, and not anybody else. However, if this makes you feel better, I forgive you.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAF1Z7y2RRCU
“That does make me feel better,” said Ane, nodding strongly, blinking away welling tears.182Please respect copyright.PENANA5yPg0EFT7G
“We shall find who killed Eucilde,” reassured Elliot, “and we shall finish them.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAoWGkVnp3ma
“I enjoy your faith,” Ane smiled.182Please respect copyright.PENANAnHfMY2sH1r
“I must admit… despite all these pent feelings, it is quite fun,” said Elliot. “I am amused by the adventure. We have met so many people.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAt8Cg9F30VT
They had reached the park, lit up by faint moonlight creeping through the branches. The benches were dry, so the pair sat down.182Please respect copyright.PENANAXTi9SdVcPV
“I feel so responsible,” said Ane. “You know?”182Please respect copyright.PENANA7n7zfxpUpF
And while Ane rambled on, Elliot just watched her talk. He watched her facial expressions, her smile sometimes when she’d say something slightly silly, her eyes that looked at flowers and then back at the moon, her cheeks that flushed red because of the decreasing temperature. A warm package wrapped around his chest and he felt it fill him with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a desire to just hold them and love them, and so he did. He pulled her in for a hug, and while he embraced him, he felt how Ane’s body stiffened before she slowly put her arms around him too. And when Ane wanted to pull back, Elliot didn’t let her go, and pressed his mouth against hers. Her lips were sweeter than he’d bargained for, and as he tasted her sweetness, she discovered his kiss. Any possible worries were touched away, and when Elliot suggest they’d go back to the inn to continue this inside, Ane didn’t have to think twice.182Please respect copyright.PENANAMxOr6IfjvE
“I wonder where those two went,” said Jarco.182Please respect copyright.PENANAM2WLC92RKs
“They slipped inside, but went straight upstairs,” answered Livi.182Please respect copyright.PENANAW4rY80dzJo
“Would they share the bed tonight?” smirked Daphne.182Please respect copyright.PENANA6FFFVLxuDX
“We won this bet,” laughed Lewir.182Please respect copyright.PENANAkzOEYrT9Bm
“Maybe they’re just tired?” shrugged Marrie.182Please respect copyright.PENANAb79ERi4UIs
“Yeah, as if,” laughed Bethil. “Come on, pay up.”182Please respect copyright.PENANA67vnGefADA
So Jarco, Marrie and Pitér paid up to Daphne, Bethil, Livi, Lewir and Tully. The bet had been going on behind Ane’s back and everyone had been fantasising about them together. The three more innocent ones had hoped that they wouldn’t have to pay up to the other five.182Please respect copyright.PENANAb6QrYtW1pk
“So, what about you and Bethil, Daphne?” winked Livi.182Please respect copyright.PENANAmXiMulzat1
“I liked your attitude more when it wasn’t against me,” muttered Daphne.182Please respect copyright.PENANAqlH5huc4YS
“Let’s not make it too awkward for each other,” said Jarco.182Please respect copyright.PENANANck6oSrBjK
“You’re right,” agreed Daphne.182Please respect copyright.PENANAv08HMkSTEg
“At least you agreed on this one,” said Tully. “Wasn’t like that earlier today.”182Please respect copyright.PENANA2C8I9NGDaJ
“I heard you argue as well,” nodded Marrie. “At least you finished the route nicely.”182Please respect copyright.PENANArA2Vw8eHNe
“It was not my fault,” shrugged Daphne.182Please respect copyright.PENANAUM3j1XrZ7g
“It kind of was,” defended Jarco.182Please respect copyright.PENANASYhT3mHVle
“Calm down,” said Tully. “We’re not going over this again.”182Please respect copyright.PENANA9ma6iS25pB
Daphne and Jarco sent daggers at each other with their glares, but decided to keep the calmness of the situation and quit eye contact. Lewir and Livi didn’t let the atmosphere get tense and decided to throw in some good old stories from when Livi was still a rogue and Lewir whatever he ever really was.182Please respect copyright.PENANAWNaQ4YSVXN
Later that night, Daphne and Bethil were taking care of the horses and Ordo. As they were brushing and feeding them, they talked about the events of earlier.182Please respect copyright.PENANAftBsHCpG4h
“I get that Jarco never trusted me back then,” said Daphne, “but things are different now. I hate that he thinks he’s superior.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAxFdU3gY6uQ
“Jarco doesn’t think that,” responded Bethil. “And even if he does, he doesn’t mean it like that.”182Please respect copyright.PENANA67kNUqD6c4
“I get he just wants stuff to go alright, but I’ve never had the feeling he actually liked me.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAWpFT97oUEU
“Your first impression wasn’t the best either, was it?” grinned Bethil.182Please respect copyright.PENANAgP4pS1rgE1
“Fair, but you guys like me now. Elliot and I had quite the bad first interaction, but we’re totally cool now,” sighed Daphnelle.182Please respect copyright.PENANAJT15MWkpuF
“I suppose so,” Bethil mumbled. “Thoughts on Tully and Pitér?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAItFXDQnhGR
Daphne’s hands fell quiet and she glared at Bethil from the corner of her eye. She trusted him more than Ane, so she figured it wouldn’t hurt to tell Bethil everything.182Please respect copyright.PENANAMWdVqJYpzn
“I’ve known them for a very, very long time now. See, Bethil… if you ever wondered why Hayres had so much power instead of Sarkhan’s parents, let me tell you this. The Retlings and Farguards were an intertwined, noble family. While the Retlings took the royal, luxury status as nobles of the doomed, the Farguards took the powerful status of entire Sharran’s Valley. Tully and Pitér’s parents mingled with the noble crowd, setting themselves high on the ladder of hierarchy. And… Tully and Pitér were very good friends with Hayres. Mounty is Hayres’ niece. I got along very well with Mounty, who also got along very well with Tully and Pitér. Aside from the age differences, we all got along quite well. Besides, Hayres was never that old. A late child, as you could say. Am I making sense?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAzCTYjfcaL5
“I am just assuming that you five got along very well,” said Bethil.182Please respect copyright.PENANAdW7914qu4P
“We did. So did Sarkhan. That’s self-explanatory. Mounty and I mingled with him and he was part of the royal family alongside Hayres.”182Please respect copyright.PENANANK7Gq6d7Up
“How did you and Mint get involved?” asked Bethil. “From what I’ve noticed, everyone you mentioned have high ranks.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAukYvz7dPFg
Daphne gazed at horse’s hair. “Bethil,” she began, “I thought you’d know that good things come in threes.”
Ane woke up in Elliot’s embrace. The sun poked through the windows. When the princess left the bed, she felt rather cold air touch her nude body. She figured the only reason why it was cold was because she’d just left a homely warm bed. Elliot was still peacefully sleeping, and Ane took the opportunity to go for a walk. She strapped up her boots after getting dressed and left the inn. She greeted the innkeeper who kindly offered her a cup of tea, and after she was handed the cup she left the building. Bethil was already sitting right outside the inn, the sunlight warmly shining on him. He was holding his own cup of tea and it was as sunny as it could be. Direct heat on the tea kept the liquid warm to Bethil’s pleasure.182Please respect copyright.PENANAHgKXnJhHID
“Good morning,” said Ane, and she sat down next to him.182Please respect copyright.PENANAuRgWzWcCxF
“Good morning, princess,” responded Bethil. “How did last night go for you?”182Please respect copyright.PENANASSiXnjTjdo
A grin crept upon Ane’s face and she hid it by sipping her tea. “It went well.”182Please respect copyright.PENANADcFbuyzLcQ
“We all saw it coming. It was about time,” chuckled Bethil.182Please respect copyright.PENANAZjgCE33c1S
“We have never really sat down and just talked, have we?” asked Ane.182Please respect copyright.PENANAhUZcftRqJB
“I believe not,” Bethil replied. “When shall we head for the portal to the Eastern Bay, though?”182Please respect copyright.PENANA9p42w2yhEQ
“I was thinking we would go for another training session today, to get the hang of it. I want to be prepared,” answered Ane.182Please respect copyright.PENANAlNnZfdcV1q
“Two training sessions won’t do it for us,” frowned Bethil. “Will it?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAtIZ2OQyMGd
“We shall see,” nodded Ane. “I just want no single problem. We should also switch up teams today.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAZfX5czYNu1
“Sounds like a plan. I haven’t had breakfast, though, so should we eat first?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAzc0hAv74FI
“No, let us enjoy this sun a bit more,” said Ane, and she leaned back.182Please respect copyright.PENANABcHYxOvhIN
Later that day, the twelve were in the training area once again. They had just randomly decided on teams for the first four rounds, and the last three rounds they decided to just see whatever they could do for the entire team. It was exhausting, but with enough perseverance and determination they easily made it.182Please respect copyright.PENANAUzgnymlJi6
“We will need… something stronger than us,” panted Livi.182Please respect copyright.PENANA6xc1W6eT71
“To defeat the foes?” asked Ane, polishing her sword in the shining sun.182Please respect copyright.PENANAxb1UWyl6FT
“Yeah, and to not die of exhaustion,” Livi nodded.182Please respect copyright.PENANAY3HTZHUjFP
“You should’ve hunted more when you had the chance,” exclaimed Daphne, comparing her falchion with Lewir’s. Her ponytail was greasy from sweat, but in the sunlight she still looked as gorgeous as anything.182Please respect copyright.PENANAKyy4LiX9n4
“Funny, Daphnelle,” muttered Livi.182Please respect copyright.PENANAXbEHEoT7N1
“We do have a very special friend we could invite to join us, albeit for several hours,” said Vastice. “Is she still around, Peita?”182Please respect copyright.PENANA5nLhGjOELu
“Do you mean… Lemennie?” frowned Pitér.182Please respect copyright.PENANAIwWl7MD3xR
“A lemony what?” asked Anevay curiously.182Please respect copyright.PENANAGhzte0S4YR
“No, Lemennie,” corrected Tully as she wiped a stroke of sweat from her forehead. “She’s a… how do I say this without making it sound bad?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAaHNV34TfwI
“She’s a humanised devil,” said Peita. “Basically she lost the centre of her powers to the core, but she remained alive, leaving her to be a very special… thing.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAueu22hdop9
“I’ve never heard of a humanised devil,” Ane frowned carefully.182Please respect copyright.PENANAWwdiVQ3EMW
“She uses the same techniques as we do now, but just a bit different. She feeds on the remains of her power to create new power. Less evil, but just as efficient when used correctly,” explained Peita.182Please respect copyright.PENANAt2jKcC9qZY
“I have heard of this phenomenon,” reinforced Jarco while thoughtfully nodding. “They have no lust for wreaking havoc but take pleasure in merely freedom.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAYiAwaesljO
“They don’t have the tugging feeling of evil dragging them to insanity anymore,” said Pitér rather quiet, “so people call them the Untugged. It only applies to devils, as demons sadly do not experience this phenomenon.”182Please respect copyright.PENANANQtX3GCYkX
“They have no humanity to survive on,” explained Vastice. “It’s rare. We’re lucky to have an Untugged in our city.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAsJ0Jxx81D2
“You’d love to meet her!” smiled Peita. “Let’s go.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAbpUVbA7eoE
A solid while later, Anevay and her fellowship were in an unexplored corner of Taverness. A huge conservatory was filled with all types of exotic plants. The heat was quite unbearable. Ane’s eyes trailed over the colourful petals of the thick stems of plants and was amazed by all the new festive flowers reaching her very own eyes.182Please respect copyright.PENANAuTIJzIXjKO
“Lemennie!” called Peita and Vastice.182Please respect copyright.PENANAuoeENSYa5N
They had to repeat it several times, before a sudden whirlwind flashed in front of Anevay and spawned a tall girl. Her long hair hung over her slender shoulders and her smile was impeccably ambiguous. Thick eyebrows accentuated almond-shaped eyes, filled with a glistening hazel. A slim nose led down to her full lips. The thick hair that framed her face was brushed out of her visage by long, slender fingers, and she reached out to hand to shake Anevay’s.182Please respect copyright.PENANAP5yBArss6g
“This… is Lemennie?” she asked in awe.182Please respect copyright.PENANAlOkCaJDEcg
“You got the right person,” smirked Lemennie. Her voice was soothing and thick and not as high-pitched as Anevay had initially assumed.182Please respect copyright.PENANAszdmVIOYj6
“Nice to meet you,” said Ane as soon as she regained composure.182Please respect copyright.PENANAzKYTDFTKvj
“What has brought all of you to my wonderful den?” said Lemennie. Her voice echoed in the conservatory and the sun decorated her tanned skin.182Please respect copyright.PENANAgYJnrRNSVB
“We have a request,” spoke the princess. “Peita has told me you could be of great help to get us to the portal to the Eastern Bay.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAgCYIEqExaR
“You seem like good warriors. What would you need me for?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAzKvrD8eSqM
“For when we reached the Eastern Bay,” answered Peita. “You know that Lily’s York isn’t as nice as it seems.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAmVcg8zYEPA
“Oh, I know all about that,” grinned Lemennie. She nonchalantly plucked a flower and blew it out her hand. It rained either glitter or flower petals over the fellowship. “Follow me!”182Please respect copyright.PENANANcFfKe1Wvf
“What does she do here?” asked Tully.182Please respect copyright.PENANAOJl2UExtXT
“She is the smartest girl around here. You shall see,” Peita said. The crowd followed Lemennie down a wooden hatch in the corner of her conservatory and down a spiral of stairs. Darkness embedded the scenery, but as soon as Lemennie flicked on a light switch, it all became clear. One by one, lights flickered on throughout the entire room, about the same size as the conservatory, but a lot more impressive. Not because of nature’s beauty; in contrary. Machinery with thick, grand gears was blowing steam, tables filled with maps and plans were spread between, pipelines led from one industrial piece of machine to another. Chemical gasses rose from opened tubes with strangely coloured liquid laid over lab benches and mixed with smoke from some messed up electric plates. The dark rooms made this the perfect nest for a scientist.182Please respect copyright.PENANANnM5ZLYe2k
“Lemennie creates most of our industrial pieces,” said Vastice. “It’s amazingly impressive!”182Please respect copyright.PENANAOyW40R5GxR
“Have a look around,” said Lemennie. “I’ll talk with Peita in the meanwhile.” The two girls went back upstairs and left the rest alone.182Please respect copyright.PENANA5XMLIHHbQD
“I have never seen this much… mechanical stuff in my entire life,” said Anevay as she lay a hand on a thick pipeline. She yelped at the intense heat and pulled back immediately.182Please respect copyright.PENANA9LZbdFfqCj
“I didn’t know Lemennie was this much of a genius. Did she create all of this by herself?” asked Tully, curiously observing the maps and plans with roughly sketched ideas.182Please respect copyright.PENANAB4N0np64z1
“Every single bit. Most of the machines that keep our city rolling are designed by her,” said Vastice.182Please respect copyright.PENANAHUSQ7P5i9i
“What exactly do those machines do?” asked Pitér. “I’ve known there were machines, yet I’ve never really wondered what for.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAz4Ulx6blso
“Taverness isn’t a city on solid grounds,” said Vastice. “We are flying miles and miles above the earth. Why do you think that nobody’s ever drawn us on a map? Simply because they never even found us.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAtcGJAbSyl8
“We’re… in the sky right now?” exclaimed Bethil in disbelief.182Please respect copyright.PENANAX2mrBYFIm0
“Right above the core,” smiled Vastice.182Please respect copyright.PENANAeHv1D9GRxK
“If I could turn into a bird… I could have the best flight of my entire life,” replied Bethil excitedly.182Please respect copyright.PENANAX1cMS6Mkx9
“We could fly together,” gasped Daphne. The pair smiled at each other.182Please respect copyright.PENANA5SYTB67Xgf
“You cannot really leave the city’s dome. Although there are some secret holes,” thought Vastice aloud.182Please respect copyright.PENANA5UuH8kD36w
“I’ve never flown above earth like this,” smiled Marrie.182Please respect copyright.PENANA540ZpH4MmL
“Well, who has?” laughed Elliot. “If Bethil would turn into a giant bird that could carry us…” Elliot glared at Bethil, and Bethil glared back.182Please respect copyright.PENANAfISmOi9iPO
“Guys, listen up!” called Peita. Ane turned to Peita and Lemennie and the others faced them as well.182Please respect copyright.PENANAgr5dSimyv9
“I’ll agree to accompany you on your quest to the core,” Lemennie said. “It’s my pleasure to be of help to you.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAX1fV0dd83x
“I can reassure you that Lemennie can be trusted,” Peita said. “She has been working under my wings for the past years.”182Please respect copyright.PENANA8sLJfZJ1i7
Peita and Lemennie smiled at each other a string of chemistry jumped through the air, but Vastice stepped in.182Please respect copyright.PENANAHKLDMMo3PU
“Peita, let’s go and fly.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAkTQ8NJlGnu
“Fly?”182Please respect copyright.PENANAMos1YZNtck
Vastice nodded, and his smile triggered Peita’s.182Please respect copyright.PENANAzoLMwLbNgt
“You in?” asked Peita to Lemennie.182Please respect copyright.PENANAOigC1SRHKa
“Of course.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAReaKHkta2D
Merely a few minutes later, they had left Lemennie’s conservatory and headed to the opposite direction that they came from, so deeper into the rather empty blocks of the city. At one point, there was a steel hatch against a type of guard tower – without tower. The tower was near the corner of the city and very few houses had been built here. Vastice and Elliot opened the rather heavy hatch and revealed a staircase nearly straight down.182Please respect copyright.PENANA7wmcMFyScO
“Don’t fall,” warned Peita, as she took the lead. Ane followed right after and Vastice closed the hatch behind them. The rather large group of comrades struggled to watch their step in a dim light of a spark dancing on Peita’s palm. They entered a little basement, and Peita flicked on the light. It lit up a small room which had one door, and nothing else.182Please respect copyright.PENANAiELkjLXBgY
“So… through the door?” Ane suggested, pointing at the piece of wood.182Please respect copyright.PENANAlVcWQdxGi2
“Vastice, this is your thing,” called Peita.182Please respect copyright.PENANAKrcaTGLN1y
He stepped forward and aimed his open hand to the door. Bit by bit, a handle with a lock melted together on the door. A second later, Vastice also spawned a key out of thin air, which he neatly used to unlock the door. As it clicked open, the wood shoved open surprisingly smoothly.182Please respect copyright.PENANAKl06m8JQNA
“That was quite cool,” mumbled Bethil.182Please respect copyright.PENANABY0BC9HYqB
“Agreed,” nodded Livi.182Please respect copyright.PENANAoePXzIKXCx
“Why exactly is this Vastice’s thing?” Elliot asked curiously while Ane walked through the door only to see another set of stairs – this time spiralled up.182Please respect copyright.PENANAfg5fGBxI4D
“Vastice focuses more on practical uses with his magic,” explained Peita.182Please respect copyright.PENANAJYlhs6e38N
“Whereas my sister focuses more on the combat use. That’s of course a lot more draining,” finished Vastice.182Please respect copyright.PENANAGhIGgC8A5D
“That is quite cool. Can you both use your magic just as well?” asked Elliot.182Please respect copyright.PENANAhrtPRi7UhH
“No,” sighed Vastice. “I suppose it’s sort of like… using weaponry. I could tell Marrie was a genius with the spear, but would she be just as good with a bow and arrow?”182Please respect copyright.PENANATObtQcWYrw
“Hellen is great with the bow and arrow,” thought Peita aloud.182Please respect copyright.PENANAj2DxSVjurU
Elliot smiled and he followed the rest up the metal staircase. They were going up the tower, noticed Elliot as he looked outside the tiny windows every few metres. The top of the tower was definitely worth the energy. The breeze up there was amazingly chilling and the view on a sophisticatedly mechanical city was phenomenal. Every single bit of gold, every gear, every lever, every speck of smoke corrupting the blue canvas; it was a view worth endless gold. It was just so simply impressive.182Please respect copyright.PENANArOY8DcTM0d
“The view is magnificent,” whispered Jarco.182Please respect copyright.PENANAzfpxgh4WEx
“It’s like we completely left our own realm, isn’t it?” Tully said. She held Pitér’s hand, and the couple stood and stared for a while the others excitedly looked around.182Please respect copyright.PENANADn9nKwuf9P
“You know the best part?” asked Peita. “Right above us –” she pointed her finger to the skies “– is no dome. We could exit Taverness and soar through the sky.”182Please respect copyright.PENANAMP5yuRfXIT
“Let’s try this out,” said Vastice. He turned to Bethil and Daphne, who also shared an excited glare. It was Daphne who crawled on the tiny wall which served as a low railing. She unfolded her wings and she let out an unexpected yelp of joy. She hadn’t flown in what felt like ages, so this truly felt as being set free again.182Please respect copyright.PENANATX7luc0IoT
Bethil crawled on the wall and accompanied Daphne. He jumped once, and as he floated in the air, he curled up. It felt like his body imploded into a huge bird. He was a huge, falcon-like bird whose wings were as long as Daphne’s length. The falcon faced Daphne, and she laughed at him.182Please respect copyright.PENANA8Wx9YYh7qO
“Hop on Bethil’s back!” said Daphne, before she jumped into the air and swirled straight to the higher skies. Tully and Pitér agreed to stay on the tower and just enjoy the view. While the crew crawled on Bethil’s back, Daphne felt the breeze cut straight past her face. Bethil, with the group on his back, soared alongside Daphne. As they spun through and under the clouds, they were having the best time of their lives. At one point, Lewir hopped off Bethil’s back and folded his very own wings. They were grand and leathery, but beautifully dark and broad.182Please respect copyright.PENANAnLKnYqwBPa
At one point, Daphne stopped flying and just looked down. Her jaw dropped slightly. Underneath her, she saw a large city. The Northern Bay. Castles, towers and houses seemed to reach out for her, but tiny and frivolous.182Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4uwRfcanU
“It’s… surreal,” mumbled Daphne. Bethil turned around and joined her. And for a solid while, they just stared down. They had come so far, Ane thought. She smiled softly.182Please respect copyright.PENANA3TgIVx6JHe