Our carriage clapped along the cobblestone road, Charney's steps leaving a light thud. Mild squeaks of wide bar suspension salvaged from what our transport once was. Murmurs amongst Guardsmen.
And then Death, and her tilted head, eyebrow raised.
"Are you certain that instrument draws your attention"
"Learning how to play could be rather beneficial to your growth. The 'Blacksmith' preferred playing the drums, does that not seem appealing?"
Naji opened a single eye as she responded, making certain her words carried little context for those listening in. Ultimately, this was a peace offering until I could judge Grim's true allegiance.
"Huh- She never mentioned it before, but I don't think that'd fit"
"There's a Nyx who could teach you how to play anything with strings"
"Could, not would. I already spoiled any chance of that two days ago"
"Very well. Learning how to play is a long term commitment, and I will hold you to it"
"Fine by me"
Settling in, I rested against the inner wall of our wagon and prepared for a long ride. Yet, to my surprise, this undercover operations location was far closer than expected.
***
Two hours to midnight, that's when I heard it first from our supposed 'safehouse'. Top floor, one of three penthouse suites on the left side of a corner-shaped building.
Pitter patter, rain from above, clouds shadowing possibly the entire Royal Quarter. An area so vast that even the tallest buildings did not grant a view of the whole district.
At least with water came a fresh gentle breeze to help air out this stuffy, dust laden room.
We spent far too long fiddling with furniture rather than anything truly productive or related to our mission. To be fair, we did need somewhere, and something, to sleep on.
Covers tossed, beds assembled, tables ready.
And yet, what concerned me most was not the water letting its presence be known on the vast tinted windows, or the fact our accommodation was unprepared, but the location of this safehouse.
One building stood between us and the Opera house, our target.
An unmarked grey structure that recently housed a battle so disruptive that a Hero from another world had to step and reverse time. Now, each droplet painted an ever darkening obstacle.
Such incredible power to turn back time at the cost of potential rebound, and tearing open pockets between worlds. More than anything, it was a last resort, and I had my doubts that it could be used again so soon.
"Is there anything I can do to stop it?"
"Possibly…"
Adelard sought advice from Grim around a marble coffee table in the large, open living room.
"Grim's always played coy, she'll find a way to help"
Naji shed a little light on the secret keeping motte as she mopped the predominantly wooden floors while Bez cleaned up a nearby vast kitchen.
Blackened, one-way windows ran parallel to look down on the happenings far below our main room, each glass panel accompanied by two-inch dark iron beams.
I organised firewood near a circular, open chimney sitting smack bang in the middle of our living room.
"My instrument broke the day Irminsul fell-"
The Horsemen casually ate small squares she ripped out of a book like a snack. A free textiles samples book we found amongst stacked seating.
With chopsticks, she pulled out a piece of leather while cross legged, then dipping them in a variety of different colored sauces splurted into napkins.
"-and all those able to recreate my harvester… They'd require a trade of immense prestige"
"What would it cost?"
"Hmm~ Objects of immeasurable value, aided by a holy Relic, stained with the blood of undeath"
"I…"
"There's something I don't get-"
Joining my friend on the white leatherbound couch facing Grim, I began to unravel the depth of Adelard's problem. The Horsemen wasn't lying, and yet she kept other options to herself.
Who could fathom the depths of knowledge which lurked under snow white skin and hardened grey carapace.
"-Couldn't you pull out the soul trying to take over and put it in a corpse or something? Maybe destroy them?"
"Touji…"
Bez wasn't too happy with my line of thinking, and to be honest, I wasn't either, but my friend's life came before giving strangers a second chance.
A simple shake of his head was enough to feel a pain at the back of my throat for suggesting such a thing. I'd become lost in a sea of morality, searching for a grain of honesty.
Grim put her food down so she could pull out a strange, wispy grey veil from who knows where. Tied like a blindfold over her yellow eyes, yet they glowed brighter than ever, golden glimmer piercing thin fiber.
"Only when a body is between life and death can a soul be freely removed and replaced. Souls; those chained to little Lionheart, do not dance amongst the mist…"
"So they're linked- but they're not dead, right?"
Makeup ran and tears streamed, slowly down Grim's face. Two near-perfect lines of darkness.
"One spirit has passed and awaits intersection or absorption. Others; wires seeping into the boys brain from beyond shores I cannot glace"
Swishing her chopsticks as if attempting to illustrate her vision, I too began to focus on the space above Adelards head. Slowly, as I sharpened my sight, chromatic outlines formed in fractions of sections.
One appeared as a small flame, akin to a fish, swimming in circles around his temple. The others, puppet strings pouring out each ear, leading ever upwards.
For nought a second, I dared to glance at Death incarnate. Gone in an instant, pain assaulted my temple, and my sight was lost.
"...Arrh… dammit"
"By all accounts, you should not have been able to replicate my technique little Dragon"
"What did you just do? There was- something in your eyes man"
"Erh- I need a drink"
As I got up, clutching my head, a memory from a few days ago reared its head. The Nyx who lost an arm and a wife, yet it seemed she'd remain with him forever.
I hoped his name was enough to spur the Horsemen into thoughts of her own, and away from the feat I'd performed.
"Taurus… arrh, had something similar to that"
Only a few feet away, the kitchen was open with a small island that held a single empty wooden bowl on top. White granite benchtops and sleek equipment, including a fancy oven stovetop, fit for a team of two.
In other words, it was built for both those aided by personal staff, or highclass who preferred to keep their affairs private.
Despite that, this apartment seemed like it hadn't been used in many years, or at least, for anything apart from storage.
"I've heard of the Nyx with an invisible arm. He's rather exceptional at avoiding people, however, perceiving departed Spirits is not the same as seeing Souls... Perhaps you inherited the mind, while your brother benefited from the body?"
"Could I take- take- on one of those souls to help?"
Heat continued to swell from my eyes to my forehead. A nearly entirely niche ability to perceive what was normally beyond sight seemed utterly useless without being able to interact with what I saw.
Looking through the cupboards one by one, I came across everything, from fancy chalices to ceramic plates, yet not a single regular cup. Eventually I gave up and grabbed a decorative glass more fit for wine than water.
"That circling soul is the least likely to ever take control of Adelard and is responsible for his Light aptitude. Complete assimilation is most likely at this stage"
Shockingly, this hotel had running water from a tap you didn't have to manually pump to work, something I'd thought only Dragon's Mort had access to.
Well, this quarter at least. I knew that even back at my new home, several old rusted over lever pumps and boarded wells still dotted Dragon's Mort. It could have easily been a similar story in the poorer sections of Nala.
Leaning against the bench separating kitchen and living room, I slowly sipped my drink as Adelard recalled an interesting event from his past.
"You know, about a year ago something weird happened. I was hanging out around the Docks for a commission, helping with cargo, right? Then, randomly, I was knocked down by a fake- tall clone thing wielding a glowing sword. But then! Out of nowhere… it was- crushed when some ropes snapped-"
"Your storytelling skills are lacking for a Paladin, little Lionheart"
"Let the boy speak Grim. Not all tales are told with grace"
Bez stood up when neither of us felt like contesting the one person that might hold the only chance of rectifying the situation.
"He had a near death experience caused by Arisu's early arrival while Tsumugi was incidentally summoned. Someone broke the rules on Mother Earth, and the pendulum swung back"
"But why is this happening to me? Why not someone else?"
Adelard leaned over in his seat and ran his hands through his head, still not understanding the part he played that day, and, more importantly, why he deserved his fate. The answer he received did not fill him with hope.
"It should have been two others, and you, to die that day. At that point, this new soul would take over, reviving your still corpse"
"So- I was always destined to die?"
"Destined for your soul to be replaced, the vessel remains unchanged. Rather similar to Touji, paths of perceived death, avoided thanks to an unlikely ally"
A long series of events led to the day Enda took a stroll through Tyrants Rest. If factual, it'd also mean Arisu's presence failed to stop Rose losing control, and Stathon taking care of Ota at Broken-Blade Fort.
Enda would've still attempted to adopt me, only my journey may've come to its conclusion at the bite of Ota's hidden dagger.
Adelard looked over at me as I leaned on the Kitchen bench. It was clear that hearing we shared a similar turn of events eased his mind ever so slightly.
"History is ever fluctuating. Many don't believe prophecies of end times as they have been averted. Arisu hopes to shuffle enough pawns, and pray one breaks the rules, so she may end up creating a new ki-"
Two quick, heavy knocks startled me from outside our suite's door. Cautiously, Bez approached from the side.
"Who is it?"
"I need you"
"..."
Soft, feminine, yet incredibly assertive, even annoyed.
Nobody spoke up. By the time Sinclair and Naji cautiously entered the room, our safehouse's security was compromised.
Uncaring, Judgement walked in the room without a care in the world wearing a slick outfit, her hair tied into a large single braid resting over her chest and down to her thigh.
Over one arm, a wet grey coat that failed to match her clothes, in the other, two identical large brown suitcases.
Black, grey with thin vertical stripes of gold on a sleek business suit that clung tight to her slender figure rather well. Matching waistcoat and trilby, white feather attached, that flowed naturally with her pointy ears that shined with teardrop gold earrings.
On calves and cuffs, a vertical incision running down each side letting out a fancy, multi-layered white jabot; decorative lace often only worn from the neck like a bib.
Three inch asymmetrical metal heels, black and gold, matching her gloves, albeit on differing sides.
Glamorous, yet not too far off her usual 'western wear', as Arisu put it, but if she were to ask me, I liked this look a bit more. At least while we were in a cityscape that matched.
Layers upon layers, and a similarly patterned coat to, bringing her look together. Ultimately, I thought she looked cool. Well, maybe some sharp sunglasses would make it perfect.
"My-my, already pursuing men with bigger breasts than yourself. Your partner must be thrilled to have found someone so loyal~"
I expected a gun to be waved around or Grim to be ignored, instead she did the last thing anyone expected, and felt the chest of the meat hulk himself, then checked her own body until finally speaking up again.
"Pervert"
"Little weird she could tell"
A look of confusion and disgust crept up Death's face seeing the two act like it was the most normal thing in the world to compare pecs and breasts, no shred of embarrassment from the two.
"Touji, come with me"
"Are you serious?!"
Thread wrapped around my arm and Grim pulled me down a hallway from the other side of the reception room like some sort of pet, keeping our distance from everyone else.
***
Claustrophobic servants' room, a bunk bed, a bedside table, and a small door leading into a tiny bathroom cupboard combo. Colors as depressing as the pathetic excuse for comfort.
Once inside, Grim pressed my body against the door, shutting in loudly in a misguided pursuit of privacy.
"Get this off"
"Hey, don't break them"
"Look at me"
Glasses tossed on my top bunk, four hands on my face and shoulders, pushing me down slightly to inspect my eyes. Not hard enough to be overly forceful, yet not at all gentle.
"It's not that big of a deal"
"If you can do it, so can she"
"So? That skill seems pretty useless"
"My secrets are remain unwritten, unspoken, yet she has the mind and willpower learn what she must"
"I don't understand…"
"Did you not find it strange that I witnessed your birth? Or did that question disappear like Urmin's true nature? Until you understand my insinuations, I refuse to feed you undeserved answers"
Pressed against me, I felt her heartbeat pulsing abnormally fast
"Why are you like this?"
"Excuse me?"
Of all I could say, only that question could cause hesitation, and withdrawal of her hands, her chest.
"Acting like a horrible person, being rude to Judgement, constantly starting fights, being so shameless. I have so much on my mind already, thinking about my sister, my friend, and all you care about is amusing yourself"
"What part of open hostility is amusing to you? Open your eyes, she hates you"
"So what? I deserve it! But you know what you look like?"
"Say it"
"You look like- like a bitch…"
At that moment, I was frustrated. To be treated, and reminded, that I was partially a monster. Dragged along by throat, by wire- it was too much, so I loose an insult that should've remained unspoken.
One step back, then another, her eyes drifted away, still hidden under her veil, yet like the moons throughout the seasons, her glow faded three fourths.
Dammit- Why does she care so much about what I say?
"It's… in my nature. Death is to be feared, and forever alone"
"Don't give me that bullshit, even if you believe it"
"Perhaps- if you'd lived as I had, you'd understand"
"No, no you've lived for so long without fear, you've mistaken it for hate"
"..."
"People hate disease, weapons, lacking things to live- but they accept death for what it is, and I know one woman who seems to chase it!"
"That's not how it works"
"No, it does. Out of every inevitability in this world, death is respected, above all else"
"We shouldn't of had this conversation"
"Fine, but if death is meant to be fair, then the least you can do is be fair on yourself"
I left the room, slamming the door, before Grim sat down on Adelard's bed to take a moment for herself, and reflect. Whether or not I made an impact wasn't what I set out to do, yet seemingly I achieved it all the same.
Death was too cruel on others, and far too cruel on herself.
***
Back in the reception, a map had been unraveled across the coffee table with several different bounty papers thrown on top of vicious looking people.
Did she get rid of my headache?
"You good man?"
"Yeah… had to sort something out. What's going on?"
"Suicide and music, by the looks of it. I think you forgot your glasses"
"Dammit"
***
Knocking twice on my door, yet I don't know why I felt the need to do so, nevertheless courtesy was given. Grim opened the door ever so slightly, to pass what I left behind, alongside a small note.
It was her decision to remain hidden, my to accept fault.
A shopping list of sorts, full of nonsensical items devoid of logic. I couldn't help but murmur while trying to establish intellect.
"What is this…"
"Bring me everything, do not ask why, do not question how"
She responded with whispers of her own through cracks of escaping air.
"I'm sorry I- I was rude"
"Do not apologize for speaking truths to me"
Tonight was not the time to ask for forgiveness. Words spoken to Adelard now applied to me, albeit in a less intimate relationship. It'd have to be done, but not too soon, or too late.
I didn't understand women, but I did understand when I made a mistake, and took things too far myself.
She moved to protect others after our time warp, then tried to protect me against hatred I couldn't perceive, only to be called a bitch.
Grim seemed to have good intentions, but always went about it the wrong way.
***
"-rumor while back that he might be using a bar here as a front, smuggling stuff using the waterway on the mid-levels or lower levels-"
Bez pointed near the top right grid of a fairly inclusive map as he spoke. By the looks of it, a building relatively close to the entrance we passed through into Nala.
On a T-intersection of suspended canals slowly drifted into the large city of middle class dwellers near the dense cave wall, roughly a kilometer away from our position, a possible location.
"-I heard they have a hidden water elevator inside a hollow building over here. Problem is, there's a chance he might not be there"
Judgement juggled an old coin from her pinky, to her thumb, then flicked it into the air with an audible ting. As it spun, I saw a glimmer of gold reflected in her normally brown eyes.
A catch, placed on her forearm, Ouroboros was revealed to be eating his own body around a square hole.
"Our target is there"
"Doing this will cause a stir. Nobody accepts these bounties for a reason"
"That's why I'll turn him in, dead or alive"
"Payout's only if he's alive"
"Then his fate is sealed, and he'll arrive dead"
"Uh, what did he do?"
Bez grabbed his poster and tossed it over to me.
"Several Noble-class Murders, Extortion, Racketeering, Grand Thievery, Kidnapping- too many weird stories around that. He's set to get the death penalty or locked up in Still Lake Watch"
"Except this is Nala, and the guy will be walking before dawn"
"If he doesn't run into any Snow-Patrol, then I'd bet on that too"
Ultimately, the former Captain agreed with Adelard's pessimistic outlook on the potential punishment of a well shaved man with a neck bigger than his head- if the sketch was to be believed.
"Might as well go now. Naji, are you okay with picking up supplies?"
"Sure, just keep your eyes peeled for anything interesting that we could use at the auction. Take the boys if you can!"
"Only if they work"
Bez wasn't the type of man to wait around anymore, and the Horsemen agreed to Naji's shouted request, on the condition we helped out.
As our 'Sister-Monk' was currently finishing up sweeping all the rooms, she'd leave a few minutes after us. We had no food outside of leftovers from the trip here, so that'd be her job for now.
***
Judgement, Bez, Adelard and I all walked into the fancy elevator. A metal and glass tube perfectly in the middle of our hotel, with a view of the concrete courtyard outside. Or I should say, the once destroyed building, saved through time.
More of an elevating metal cage than anything else.
Pulling a brass, criss-cross cover around our platform, I then rang a small bell once to head down. Counterweight aided a waterwheel placed out of sight that aided in operating this delivery device.
Our carriage, alongside Charney, sat peacefulling on sub-level one. He was enjoying a large chunk of our leftover food, hence the need for Naji to leave sooner, rather than later.
Chains rattled and our lift hummed as we descended.
As I looked out the curved glass paneling towards the grey tower, Adelard commented on the note given to me by Grim.
"Looks like Grim wrote something on the bottom"
"Oh- uh, 'Experience this city to its fullest. Strong memories will erect a dam against a flow of foreign force. Must reconcile with past. Get everything on list', huh"
Adelard's past? He moved to Dragon's mort however many years ago, lives with his extended fami- oh
"Why does she have to phrase things weird when giving me hope?"
"Won't tell us how, won't let us question anything"
I'd ask him about his family later, in private.
"She doesn't trust anyone man"
"Be wary of her prospects. Grim may promise salvation, yet her price will always remain the same"
Interrupting our small light of hope, the Nyx issued a stern warning. As Judgement was so young, I speculated on the origins of such cautious wisdom. It seemed that we're all the products of our families.
"You mean the weird shopping list?"
"By the end of this journey, she will have you face death in a manner which you cannot prepare for. Pray it is not your end"
From her pocket, Judgement revealed a small black disk held in an indented metal ring.
"Bez"
"Right"
Both carried an identical suitcase. In his, extra Reverb Rods, stacks of bounty papers, three dozen neatly packed metal thumb cuffs, and the so-called 'Dupe Box'.
Pulling it out, he opened the box, fiddling with the contraption until managing to pull out a similar small black disk with a small picture in the middle.
Black metal with studs and a grate, the letters 'D' and 'F' aligned vertically, glowing like molten slag.
As each disk was purpose built, a smaller recreation of Vinyl albums with disappointingly far less capacity. A single song on each side.
"Don't throw it away"
"I don't plan to. Why the switch?"
"Arisu believes this would fit better. White side up"
"Then I'll assume it's good music"
***
Leaving the elegant checkered marble lobby, our hotel was kind enough to offer a pair of wooden 'Umbrellas', made locally apparently. Like a parasol, only with waterproof material to shield against the rain.
Better than pulling out my Relic to cast a Ward above our heads, best remained an unassuming servant boy for now.
Bez and I walked side by side, umbrella in my hand, as did Adelard and Judgement, who seemed to be having their own conversation in the distance.
"Don't have much luck with women, do you?"
"It's my fault we're here, her too"
"Figured she was irritated, hides it well enough. Grim didn't seem so fond of what happened earlier either"
"No, that was something else. There was a big fight, a bunch of the city was destroyed, and it started at the grey tower. Myrddin showed up and reversed time an hour, saved anyone that was killed"
"You shouldn't have told me about that. I've heard of what happens when people learn of their fate"
"It's been a few hours, so it's fine. What is that place?"
I nodded towards the centerpiece of our unfortunate location.
Raised up several meters, stairs led up each side, uninspired blocks of concrete at each corner.
A few people wearing completely grey business attire with black suitcases left as we spoke, using wands to produce an air ward above their heads to push the rain away. Their magic seemed like invisible umbrellas.
Not a Ward of wind per say, yet still complicated, complex enough to warrant a white magic circle around the tip of their wands.
"Really kid? Never heard of the Bureau Of Anomalies?"
"I have, but I didn't know this was their headquarters"
"Bunch of stiffs doing gods knows what in there. Probably hoarding anything useful from that other world for themselves"
"Who runs the place?"
"No idea"
"Huh, well she doesn't look like one of them"
Standing at the base of the stairs with her arms on her hips, a strange blonde woman in an open beige trenchcoat smiled from ear to ear while looking up at the slab of metaphorical red tape in front of her.
If there was one woman in this city who might've known about the time reversal, or may have even been in the fight itself, it was her.
Black fur boots, long pants, and what appeared to be swimwear thanks to a decent side view, although Bez's eyes wandered up from her hips. A cylindrical fuzzy hat tilted too far forward hid her gaze in darkness.
Around her undone collar, a silver badge. If that wasn't warning enough, two giant swords strapped to her waist, dangling below, like oversized horns ready to sound the alarm.
Two Relics, or maybe they simply came as a set. Sabers, as long as a claymore, as broad as a buckler near each tip. A nonsensical design, utterly unbalanced, and practically impossible to fit in a regular sheath.
Their grips were each an odd color combination, green and gold, white and blue. Incredibly large gems adored each scabbard, the size of Bez's fists. Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Garnet on gold.
Loose, undone belts on both through loops in her pants, and another through her coat, matching her uncanny weapons. Gold and green like scales, and those very colors in diagonal stripes, with red square studs.
Blonde; yes, strong; absolutely, but not a Sylph. No, her hair may be thick and wavy, however, no pointy ears emerged through that well kept mane. Maybe I was simply paranoid, looking for the Shattered Axe killers ten years later.
"Snow-Patrol. Don't get mixed up with them. Only the insane willingly serve their country by killing the unimaginable creatures that live in snowstorms"
"I heard Nala was weird, but not that weird"
"They try to keep anyone with real power- or half a heart, away from this cold cave's most egregious affairs"
"Is it really that bad?"
"If you believe the rumors, then I figure whatever Monsters show up above and make work for the Patrol, it all should've stopped a long time ago if that Dragon was the only thing that was tossed into the deep"
"..."
Bez swiped a wet newspaper from a metal cafe table as we passed by. It had been left out in the rain as we traversed back a familiar diagonal road, towards the dividing suspended canal.
Come to think of it, almost everything in this district was made of metal, glass, rock or cloth, and occasionally painted to be brighter, flashier. And most certainly, an overuse of sandstone.
The only taste of nature present seemed to be the way in which certain objects had been built and decorated. Rosey chairs, patterned awnings.
"'Dragon's Mort A Dragon's Haven?' Best keep those glasses on, kid"
"I don't understand why Enda would want to provoke a war"
"Provoke? The Empire already declared war when they murdered the Dust family when they tried sneaking up on us. Empire wants Boree, then Dragon's Mort, then Nala, and everything beyond"
"Are they that power hungry?"
"Kiss their feet or be trampled. They take territories, add to their own troops, segregate them as 'Auxiliary', and send them off to do their dirty work. Before the Age of Gods, they ruled the world. Would you look at that"
On the back of the mushy Newspaper, a rumors section. Yet it might as well be front page news with how bold a statement it makes. 'Empire Under Threat? Excalibur Has Been Wielded!'.
The blade to replace Caliburn had found a master, creating a new rightful ruler but-
"-If they're as bad as you say, wouldn't they just kill whoever has the Relic?"
"Not without making him renounce any claim to the throne, quell any uprising, justify actions against any support backing up whoever has the sword. If they capture him, it'll give anybody brave, or stupid enough, time to rescue him"
"I can think of a few people who might try"
As we walked I filled him in on the plan Myrddin and I put in place.
One mystery remained; The Empire's forces were almost completely unknown, at least to me.
If it did come down to a fight, they could enlist strong warriors, hire additional mercenaries, maybe even people who can go toe-to-toe with Enda.
Although, I'd only seen her fight in unfavorable conditions or limitations, trying to capture who she fought. Like Grim, she was shrewd, keeping her power hidden, handling problems through politics.
No doubt the Phoenix Witch had her own strategies I wasn't aware of.
"Could they beat her?"
"Maybe… Royalty is strange in the Empire. Their Kings and Queens reached the top through strength alone, and each govern with a hundred thousand troops. They only answer to the Emperor. He could certainly send them"
"They'd really send that many people? Or just the strong guy?"
"Overwhelming with numbers is their winning strategy. Now, fill me in on the woman"
"Oh, she's, uh… Rank one Bounty Hunter"
Bez sighed and casually threw the paper aside as I quickly realized the purpose of the rain.
"Of course she is. T, what is power?"
"Power? I don't know…-"
Water carried trash and everything else undesired over edges leading into darkness. No doubt the bottom floor or further into the darkness below.
"-I guess to run fast, hit hard, that sort of thing"
"True power is the strength to hold back"
Bez wrapped his arm around my shoulder, showing his sincerity.
"That doesn't make any sense"
"I don't expect you understand now, but one day you'll get it"
He gently shook me around in response to my confusion.
"Then what?"
"What happens after that is up to you, my- everybodies aspirations be damned. You'll choose the man you wish to be, no one else"
Like most of the adults I met, he knew more than he let on, but in this case, he didn't hold back for his benefit. That much I sensed.
***
Halfway across the street that ran parallel to the suspended artificial canal, the weather effect came to an end, although the water still rushed towards the gap between the fake river and the walkway beneath our feet.
Three choices to cross the wide gap built to allow passage of two wide seaworthy vessels. First, a tunnel near the entrance off in the distance, second, a drawbridge further down the road, and third, what Judgement did.
Jumping the entire distance with Adelard in her arms.
Does he not know Gracefall's Hymn?
"Think you can make it?"
"Maybe- I'm recovered so if I really push it…"
"Best find your limits now, we'll break them later"
"I'll see what I can do"
"Don't forget to stretch, watch your footing, and avoid that knee-high chain"
If I had to guess, the gap was a bit over twenty meters, with a few feet between the platform and condensed earth canal. Adding the oppressive looking guardrail, and it looked like a twenty five meter jump.
"Concentrate, steady your breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth"
Bez coached me while I got in position, fingertips feeling the rainwaters flow, single knee bent, the other stretched out.
"Don't start too fast or you'll lose your footing, build it up, bend your knees and then jump as hard as you can. Think you can make it without magic?"
"No, not really"
"Let me try something"
Acting rather suspiciously, the former Captain of the Guard looked both ways before reaching down and tapping my thigh, then calves with a single finger.
I felt a small jolt each time he did so.
"Wha?"
"Call it a hunch. I'll count you down. Three, two, one, go!"
No time to think, I pushed forward keeping a steep incline in speed. Causing a splash, each bigger than the last, and wind quickly built up rushing past my ears until it was time.
Following Bez's advice, I bent my right knee and pushed as hard as I could as the world was a slight blur.
Exhilaration, my heart beating fast, the world moving slow.
*Thump*
Off the ground, launched into the air above.
Five meters, ten, fifteen, water below, Judgment in front, descent had begun.
Twenty, falling fast, too late to move my arm back to cast magic. My destination was that of a gap between canal and platform. At worst, broken ribs from the impact against the wall, at best, bruising across my chest.
I froze up, expecting incoming pain. What I should have done was tuck and prepare to roll and land.
Golden light from Adelard, yet it was not needed. Bez had jumped with me, and pushed me forward the last five meters.
*Thump-Thump*
Arms forward, then scraped against rock as I fell and rolled. Head to chest, legs gave in and flailed apart, abruptly ending my spin with a bend a guy like me wasn't built for.
Painfully, I skid across the ground after half a roll. Thankfully my suit wasn't as fragile as my legs. Pain shot through my upper thighs, under my groin.
"Fuuucking hell, ow…"
"You okay man?"
"Killllll me, arhhhhhhhh"
"I got you"
Adelard did his best to heal what he could as I laid down, groaning, clutching the muscles around my groin.
"Good job kid"
"Ergh- what did you do to me?"
"Confirmed a hunch"
Bez sounded proud, although lying down, his face remained hidden thanks to his stupidly large man boob muscles.
Turns out it wasn't just Rider's lightning I could absorb, but the element itself. Thankfully whatever spell he used was weak enough not to be overbearing. Probably 'Tase', knowing his background.
I know he and Rider used to mess around with that spell all the time. What she could do with a spell like that was a mystery.
"Hey, maybe you'll be able to do the splits now"
"And maybe- you'll wear dresses- and I'll- call you princess- arhhh"
Insults between shallow breaths lacked punch, not that I wanted them too anyway. Just banter between friends at the cost of ungodly pain.
"Don't you know- Gracefall? The thing with the wings?"
"I can't just use random Hymns man, and that one needs gear"
"Then- what did you use to land? Before- at Tyrants?"
"That wasn't a spell, I kind of- just did it I guess?"
"Faith- Light, all its effects come from the heart of those that believe in possibility beyond reason. For you, Chants and Hymns may as well be mute"
Judgement finally spoke up with conviction in her heart. There was more than wisdom in her heart, there was authority.
"Most of the Guards back home thought a Paladin's greatest power was to turn off their brain"
"Bez"
"I'm serious. Act, don't think, don't spend half your fight figuring things out. Warriors train our bodies to have a brain of its own, and we temper that skill through experience. Paladins probably do the same"
Solid advice that, if we knew, may have led us to smashing both of Naji's bottles earlier today.
"Well, when I heal someone, I envision what I'm doing and projected it through my hands"
"Is that why- you suck at healing? Ow"
"Isn't it working?"
"No dude- it still fucking- hurts"
"Do you cook?"
The Nyx spoke up once more to ask an obtuse question that only my sister could deduce. Luckily, she'd explain herself anyway while kneeling beside Adelard.
"A little bit. Basic stuff like mash B-Beans, Newt steak, Lekun thigh fillet, anything hard to mess up so my step-dad… I…"
"Close your eyes, picture pink Lekun meat"
"Alright"
"Imagine pulling it apart"
"I'm not- strong enough to do that"
Adelard peaked to see the side eye of the century from Judgment, who failed to see any humor in this situation.
"Yeah, fine, I got it man"
"Envision flesh stretching out, pulled to far, thinning. Keep your eyes closed. Feel the warmth swelling in your hands. Do not pull, push it back together"
"...Erh!"
I grit my teeth as my friend's hands were guided onto the painful sections of both my legs.
"One tiny strand of fiber at a time, let that power pour out and reinvigorate his muscles. Know your actions are supported by gods, those that dwelled above this very mountain two thousand years ago"
"Shss!"
Suddenly, his grip tightened, and I hissed through a closed jaw, doing my best to not screech in pain. Beads of sweat formed across Adelard's forehead.
"Actions taken to aid others in need will always be just. That is my proclamation to you, as Judgement, Third Horsemen Of The Apocalypse"
His arms began to shake, as if lifting weights far above normal capabilities, yet trying all the same.
"I- under-stand… Judge-ment!"
Between shallow breaths, he spoke words I never expected him to hear. That of understanding language only heard by a chosen few, forever snuffed out by interference from the world itself and his Spirits.
Try as he might, he had reached his limit.
"Come- on! Eergh!"
Just when I expected him to give up, the glow beneath his palms flickered red, then white, and I felt a brief sense of alleviation, recovery.
"Ahhh!"
Adelard joined me in lying on the cold stone floor, staring up at the odd small orange globes hanging for the inconceivably colossal caves ceiling.
Exhausted, yet relieved, he rested his arm against the sweat of his brow, breathing heavily.
"Ha- ha… I did it… ha-"
"Well done"
It was at this time Bez wandered off, leaving his suitcase behind, as we took a few minutes to recover. Pain still gripped my legs deep down, yet it was merely a tenth of what I had experienced and completely manageable.
"Do you understand why you were unable to heal Touji before?"
"Beacuse- haa- I tried to treat- haa- a cut- and- haa- forgot what he- haa- is"
"Yes. There is potential within you to become a man that redefines what a holy warrior could be. Not barred by nations, orders, only the people he serves, and a codex he holds himself to"
"That'd be great- haa- if I wasn't losing my mind"
Bez returned after I finished giving the Nyx a rundown on what my friend was going through, memories, personalities, everything in brief form. Although not pleased she had to hear it from me, Adelard needed to catch his breath.
"And this list?"
"Grim told me not to question it, but I think it'll help"
"I see"
"Here, this'll help"
Four glass bottles of a bubbly yellow liquid passed around. A basic circular label was glued in the middle of each. 'Solva Kola', a sweet mixture that combined potions in a tasty form.
Capped with a small piece of metal that was a little too hard to pop off without Bez's help, they opened with aromatic smoke that could make me drool on a hot day.
"Wow…"
"Drink. Won't always get the chance when things are busy"
"Hey, when, uh, our Mistress punched you in the gut, how'd you keep calm?"
"Calm? I was furious, kid. She let Lionel and Guillaume die by not letting us know they'd been charmed"
"But, you did nothing, just let her hit you"
"Nobody can control their emotions, but we all can control our actions. Why get angry today when there's always tomorrow?"
"So… it's not because you two kissed and fell in love?"
Adelard thought bringing up their pheromone induced antics now seemed prudent, only solidifying his ignorance of events that had been erased in time.
Somehow, Bez could see through Sinclair's transformation, or simply recognized her, regardless of appearance. He wasn't blessed, so perhaps it was a skill he developed on his own. Best to keep it hidden for now.
"I've already got my sights on someone else"
"Naji, right?"
"Really should of bought a couple of dresses since both of you like to pretend you're girls"
Wow, spot on
His face may have betrayed no leaning either way, however, his intent quickly spoke another language. That of deflection, embarrassment.
"If you're not going to drink, I'll take it"
"Right, sorry"
Someone didn't like sharing his potential love life.
***
"This is it"
"Who builds a bar with no door. You sure this is the right place man?"
"There here, I can feel it"
"Feel it? Like an itchy bug bite? Or like a Guardsmen's sixth sense sort of deal?"
Five stories, all dark brick, a completely bland corner building with no discernible traits save its location. A T-intersection artificial canal completely lined with boats, many of which were houses, made travel on this top level impossible.
Next to no passerbys walking the streets, and with many flickering Mana Crystal iron lamps, it wasn't exactly a friendly place.
"Bellow"
"Yeah, there's no way- woah"
This was my first time ever seeing Judgement use it- her blessing. A cross of red and yellow in each iris, with a wave of blue and white energy rising like smoke.
All but a second was all the time the Nyx needed to see it all through brick and mortar.
"VIP entrance on roof, regular entrance beneath us, smuggling exit lowest floor, via boat"
"How many?"
It wasn't just bloodlust that began to fill the air. A thick, black haze began to quickly envelop the streets. Not a hint of mana in sight. As natural as morning dew.
"Fifty-two hostiles, two crucial targets, try to ignore non-combatives"
"Triple what I expected, at least we leave out the top if we're only carrying two people"
"Touji, Adelard will secure a boat. We're shutting down this operation. Permanently"
Whatever she saw with her Blessing was enough to pursue a plan to do more than wreak havoc.
Judgement would forgo a teaching opportunity to pursue the death penalty.
"Put these away, take the box with us"
"Sounds like you want them to give chase"
After handing over her Reverb Rods, the Nyx opened up her suitcase while hiding its contents, to pull out many strange black leather straps and what appeared to be many small sheaths.
Smaller than daggers, yet clearly built with purpose. I wasn't sure what their use was, however, she attached them to her body nonetheless.
Eight on her belt, four on her back, one under each arm, two on each ankle, and several new belts to hold all in place.
In total, around twenty or so of these odd leather holders, if I counted what looked like another holder, hidden up each of her sleeves.
While she prepared, Bez put all the rods away in his suitcase, took out the Dupe Box, and gave the carrier to me for safe keeping.
"Use the stairs around the corner, commandeer a boat, tell her 'It's better to have a hundred friends than a hundred Marks'. Do not lose our suitcases, and do not open them. Be out front in six minutes"
Judgement shut her eyes at the click of a closing suitcase, deactivating her blessing, then stood back up, ready to take action.
"Bez, bring four cuffs. Adelard, I am placing my faith in you"
"I- We've got this"
"Then go"
Items needed, acquired, and I was to hold the other suitcase close.
They nodded, we ran back from once we came.
***
Around the corner, to the left rows of buildings and a sign behind us stating '1st Street', the lane we ran out of. Brick, stone and sorrow, that was all the commons had to offer.
Little variety save the shade of black and brown in their buildings box design. Three stories, four, five, save those bearing glitz and glamor, or the few shops dotted along either side.
Straight down the middle, a blackened artificial canal, suspended with rusty steel girders, half a meter gap between it and the cobble street. No handrails to hold those that could fall back, only a metal net, as rusty as the beams.
Only our dress shoes clapped against the ground and splashed through the occasional puddle nobody could be bothered to drain. This horizontal corridor of complacency had the decency to illuminate the path without flickering failure.
Whoever ran Nala certainly had their priorities, and I had my doubts it got better in the other distant quarters.
Akin to the arkitature around us, the tunnel down was rigid and poorly maintained. Save metal handrails, nothing about our descent was safe.
"There's gotta be someone down here with a boat right!?"
"Yeah! That's what I'm thinking!"
Adelard jumped up and slid down the handrails perfectly. I followed his example, tripping at the mid section, but bounced back on track.
"Where's the stairs?"
"I don't know, let's just go through the gap"
Dark, not too dark to see, but certainly trip or accidently hit something if traversing without a care. Little light was provided down on this floor.
Given roughly three meters of head height before the extra layer of hardened ground, we both could jump up and touch the roof.
Unlike the flickering crystal lamps, these sources of luminescence had either dulled or completely blacked out. Shacks, both abandoned and occupied, made of trash from the level below created a shanty town, or in this case, the entire level.
Hidden away, simply tucked under everyone's noses, yet the stench flew up.
The only marginally clean area was the canal without safety. And so we pushed on, and I went first.
"Let me check, I'll use a spell to land safely"
"No man, we go together. I need to figure stuff out too"
"Alright, but be careful"
With no time to discuss, I slipped through the gap while charging a spell with my free hand, confused as to why the level beneath appeared to have better lighting, and far more headspace.
Elemental fires roared in heating ovens down here. Enclosed cylinders kept Nala warm. Pipes attached to the furnaces lead into each building, and the floor above. Each port closed tight and locked, never with a single iron clasp.
Wood, glass, metal, all manner of garbage still littered the ground, but mostly brushed aside, away from the dirty canal. Water as transparent as this city's hidden truth of darkened aspirations.
As I fell, I released an Airburst, and landed with a vertical roll, holding the suitcase close to my chest.
"Erh!"
Scuttling back to my feet I rushed back over as Adelard fell. Barely outside my vision came a whistle and a gemstone's red shimmer, that of which I ignored.
"Touji!"
Even on this bottom floor, a gap remained between the canal and platform. Only the unknown lurked bellow, shrouded, tucked away, and my friend was headed straight for it.
Abandoning my suitcase, I launched forward and grabbed his arm, almost buckling under the instant weight.
"Pull me up!"
"I'm- trying! Erghfff!"
Adelard did not share my willingness to forgo something possibly precious if the instance arose and heaved his left arm up as soon as he could, suitcase still in hand.
"Uh- wait a minute"
"You good?"
"I'm standing on- woah!"
Adelard was flung out of the gap by a flying saber scabbard, almost tripping as he landed.
"Ha! You two real stupid! Hahaha!"
Rolling up in an odd five meter long boat, equipped with two water wheels on either side near the back, it was a woman I'd only recently been told to avoid.
"Wind carry big words for little men. Which one is it, hmm?"
In one hand, she waved a soggy newspaper, the other, popped the cork of a glass bottle with blue tinted liquid inside. Although it could have been filled with Sake, I believed it was another form of distilled liquor.
"Uh, it's better to have a hundred friends than a hundred Marks?"
"Da, I know Bounty Hunter, but answer me, which one of you is the Dragon"
"I am"
To my surprise, Adelard spoke up.
"Really? You good friend- stupid, but good. What you want from me?"
"We need to commandeer this boat- uh, miss? We're in a hurry"
"Name not important. Come, take boat, you return to granny after. Fourth street, old fight hall, only two story house on block"
Another whistle, and a second floating sheathed saber formed a couple of 'steeping stones'. Hesitantly, I grabbed my suitcase, then jumped across, ready to reach for my Relic at any time.
"Thank you"
"Do not thank, I spy on you. If Bounty Hunter get big bounty, turn into Chargeworks Station. Woman will know why. We will talk later"
As she spoke her large weapons returned, and she slipped both back on waist high hooks by the leather straps attached to each scabbard before leaping off the boat.
I guess she is a little weird… didn't seem like she's from around here either
No time to waste, so I quickly took the wheel, and pushed the single crack forward. Attached to a large box-like structure sitting perpendicular to the propulsion device, it had a basic command that I figured out straight away.
I lifted up the engine's casing to peek at what powered the boat. Multiple large Mana Crystals, attached to a drum and several cogs that turned an axel. That was it. This 'advanced technology' was slower than using a long stick and pushing our boat along.
Mana activating runes that span a pipe, and not very quickly. Probably why the design hadn't caught on. At least, not if this was as good as it could get, and who knew how long the Crystals would last.
Two minutes left, just enough time to get into position.