by Dixon, TJ
“How long?” I ask Cherry.
“It’s only been a couple of minutes.” Cherry says.
“Did they go to Rin’s home?” I ask.
“I don’t know where they ported.” Cherry says apologetically.
“Are you ok?” I ask.
“Yes, thanks to your magic and the potion.” Cherry says putting a hand on her throat.
“Does it hurt?” I ask.
“No, but that was scary as hell.” Cherry says and I realise she is shaking. Her aura is too. Then her eyes glaze over for a moment. “Rin says that Elucia is missing but everyone else is ok. The Queen wants to see us at Rin’s home. Are you able to stand?”
“Yes, but I don’t know what I’d do without Rin’s healing potions.” I say shaking my head as I slowly get up. Then I wobble slightly and Cherry grabs my shoulders to steady me. “I’m still a little dizzy though.”
“So it seems.” Cherry says with a nervous smile.
“I can’t port right now, so could you handle it?” I ask. My body is mostly healed but my magic is more or less empty.
“I’ve never been there before so could you think of it to guide my port?” Cherry asks. So I do and then Cherry ports us. I feel even dizzier from the port and now Cherry has to literally hold me up. After a few moments and with a little help from Cherry I am able to walk the few steps to a chair.
For the first time I look around. Rin, Lady Fillia and the Queen are all sitting. Dairon and Alumia are both standing and Cherry is standing beside me. The Queen is staring straight at me and her aura is mostly calm but with hints of strong emotion hidden deep within.
“Elucia is definitely hosting the spirit of David Ishki. It isn’t a simple possession because David’s real body is destroyed.” The Queen says.
“So how do we free her?” I ask.
“It seems that Dairon is able to do so, but there is a good chance she will die in the process. What concerns me most is how to prevent David escaping into yet another body.” The Queen tells me. I briefly look at Rin. From her aura she is scared but I am sure now it is Elucia she is scared for.
“Is there anything we can trick him into going into instead?” I ask.
“Even if we did, how would we keep him there?” The Queen asks.
“Why is he able to overpower the minds of the people he has entered?” I ask and the Queen frowns. It is Rin who answers though.
“His will is stronger.” Rin explains.
“What would happen if he entered the body of someone with a stronger will than him?” I ask.
“They would have a constant struggle to overpower and keep him overpowered. If they lost that struggle he could take control of them or leave their body. He would only need to overpower them for a moment to leave or to do serious harm. Even if we could be sure they had a stronger will it is a bad idea.” Rin answers.
“Can you kill a spirit?” I ask.
“No.” The Queen answers.
“Yes.” Dairon answers at the same time.
“How?” The Queen asks looking at Dairon in confusion.
“With the Song of Death.” Dairon answers. “It is an ancient song from the days of the First King. You would need a powerful elf and the First Song Book.”
“Are you powerful enough?” The Queen asks but he shakes his head. “Where is the song book?”
“The Envoy has it.” He answers.
“Might it also contain the song we need?” I ask.
“Perhaps… but I have no way of knowing for sure.” Dairon answers. “The Envoy keeps it bound because the Song of Death is the only way we know of killing it. With the Envoy dead my people would be free, but to get the song we would first need to kill the Envoy. There is little difference between the spirit you seek to kill and the Envoy, other than the sheer power that the Envoy possesses.”
“What would happen if David tried to possess the Envoy?” I ask. There is a heavy silence for a few moments.
“He would be eaten by the Envoy.” Dairon answers quietly.
“The Envoy is the child of an Angel?” The Queen asks.
“Yes. It currently possesses my sister.” Dairon answers bitterly. There is an even heavier silence which after a minute or so I break.
“Where would we find the Envoy?” I ask.
“I don’t know, but if the war lasts long enough there is no doubt it will personally attack Contractia.” Dairon answers.
“How do you eat a spirit?” I ask.
“Only a god or the child of an angel can eat a spirit.” Dairon answers.
“So if we had the help of a god we could defeat David and the Envoy?” I ask.
“It would need to be a powerful god to defeat David, and it would not help you without asking for something in return. Not even a god could defeat the Envoy though.” Dairon answers.
“Are there any gods that owe Contractia a favour?” I ask the Queen.
“Only weak gods.” The Queen answers.
“Is it possible to make a weak god stronger?” I ask.
“Yes, by sacrificing millions of people to it or by worshiping it for millions of years.” The Queen says but I can tell she isn’t considering it. I am glad she isn’t, because she has the power to do exactly that.
“It’s a pity we were never able to read that book.” I say with a frown.
“What book?” The Queen asks.
“The History of Ishki.” I answer and after a moment she remembers it.
“But I got that book from the Great Library for you.” The Queen says confused.
“None of us were able to read it though. It wasn’t really the History of Ishki either.” I tell her.
“Perhaps we should try Silmarion. I didn’t want to ask her, but she was alive a thousand years ago.” Rin says.
“Alumia.” The Queen says looking up. “Get Silmarion here now.”
“Yes your majesty.” Alumia answers and ports away. After a few moments she ports back with Silmarion.
“I’ll get the book.” Rin says and ports away for a moment before porting back and handing Silmarion the book. “Are you able to read this?”
“The History of Ishki… I recommended this to Hermes last year. This copy seems different somehow though.” Silmarion says and looks through it for a few moments. “Yes I am able to read this, but it isn’t the History of Ishki. It seems to be an elven song book. It seems to have been rewritten by my people before they were conquered by Contractia.”
“Could it be the song book we need?” I ask in shock.
“There’s no way it could be that easy though…” Rin says shaking her head in disbelief.
“The songs in this book seem to be intended to heal injuries, cure illness and remove enchantments.” Silmarion says as she flicks through the book. Suddenly it hits me.
“The Song of the Third Prince… Is there a song called that?” I ask urgently.
“Yes.” Silmarion says.
“That’s the song that can wake Lucy!” Rin exclaims.
“What…?!” Lady Fillia asks in sheer disbelief, but Rin has ported and moments later she is back with Lucy.
“Silmarion show the song to Dairon.” I say.
“I can’t read it.” Dairon says apologetically.
“I can show you how.” Silmarion says and it takes a while but when she has finished Dairon starts to sing. It is a beautiful song that takes my breath away. As the song continues Lucy starts to twitch and, when he finishes, Lucy sits bolt upright.
“Where am I?” Lucy asks, gasping for breath. Overcome with emotion I am unable to answer her question. It looks like Rin is in the same position as me but Dairon answers for us.
“This is Rin’s home. You were asleep for months.” Dairon says. Lucy looks at him for a moment.
“Who are you?” Lucy asks with a frown.
“I am Dairon, an elf and Peter’s slave.” Dairon answers.
“Welcome back Lucy.” I say finally able to bring words out my mouth. Lucy turns to me and looks at my mis
sing left arm for a moment.
“I’m glad to be back.” Lucy tells me with a sad smile.
“Is there a song in that book that can return my daughter to her rightful size?” Lucy’s mother asks.
“Before that, we have further business to discuss…” The Queen says sounding rather annoyed. Then Rin’s mother ports in holding a large pot. She stands there with her mouth wide open in shock. The sight before her was obviously not one she expected!
Chapter 19 (Multiple)
(Asuna)
The attack started less than a minute before we arrived, but even so many of the town’s people are dead. Most survived thanks to our help but about one in five are dead. Mother had her head ripped off right in front of Hinata. Hinata hasn’t said a single word since the attack. At first I thought it was shock but then I realised it was a powerful enchantment. She just kneels there like a doll.
The town itself is more or less destroyed with only a few buildings still standing. With winter here more people will die if we can’t do something quickly. I have created tents for now which at least provide some shelter for the survivors. Of course, as Peter’s slave I shouldn’t be doing as I please, but who else is going to help the people if I don’t? I wipe away tears from my cheeks as I realise that I must have been crying. I mustn’t show weakness. Not now. I have to stay strong for the sake of my people.
For their sake I must throw away my honour and beg Peter to free me so that I can help them. The contract he has is with my mother. She died before it was complete so it is now just a worthless scrap of paper. I look into Hinata’s lifeless eyes again and this time I can’t stop the tears. They just flow freely.
“Weak.” I don’t recognise the voice but after a moment I realise where it came from. Impossible…!
“Hinata?” I ask dumbfounded. Shocked, hurt but most of all filled with hope.
“This body will die in the next three days. You can save your little sister, but only by killing your master. Peter must die, or your sister will die. Once your sister is dead I will kill all your weak little people.” The voice is coming from my sister’s mouth but it is not my sister’s voice.
“But even if I was willing to kill Peter, I am far too weak to beat him.” I protest.
“He trusts you. Kill him with his foolish trust.”
“Why do you want Peter dead?” I ask horrified that I am considering her request.
“I am bored.” She says and smiles with my sister’s face. I want to vomit.
“Who are you?” I ask barely controlling myself.
“I am Hinata of course.” She says, laughing as she tells me such an obvious lie. Then her eyes go back to the lifeless expression they held before.
(Water Lily)
I stand in the arena beside my sister. It is our first match and I suspect also our last match. I figured we would easily beat anyone from our class and have an easier time with 2C if they were foolish enough to oppose us. I didn’t expect anyone from 2D to oppose us. Peter is a complete mystery. At times he doesn’t seem that strong, but at other times he truly scares me.
I am confident though that even if we lose I will not lose my freedom. He could break his promise, but I don’t think he will. I plan to give this fight my best of course, so it is not like I am standing here having given up.
“He’s late.” Rose mutters. She’s right. Rin, Yu Kii, Emma and Cherry are all standing opposite us ready for the match. It was supposed to have started a few minutes ago. There’s no way he’d just not turn up, but where is he?
“Sorry I’m late!” Peter calls out as he ports in.
“I thought you were forfeiting!” I call out to him jokingly.
“Sorry, but no such luck. I had urgent business to attend.” Peter says with a smile. Rin whispers something to him but he shakes his head. Rin doesn’t look too happy.
Then they announce the start of the match and we are standing in a grassy field. There is only a little earth below us until we reach the limit of the battlefield. Above us there is plenty of sky. It seems that Peter is keeping to his word because only two mages approach us. The other three are waiting together and seem ready to defend in case we ignore the deal.
The enemy are in the sky but at least we don’t need to fly. We would certainly lose if we fought them in the air, but like this we have a fair chance. They’re quicker than I expected and soon within range. I attack with water and Rose turns the water to fire. They both easily dodge our attacks but they seem reluctant to attack. Perhaps they are not yet in range. We don’t waste any further energy until they get closer.
My next attack is ice shards. Rose readies a fire shield but doesn’t raise it yet. I sense their first wind slice and Rose raises her fire shield. The flames easily resist the slice but I stop my attack for the moment. They don’t seem to want to get too close and there are no further attacks yet so Rose drops the flames to save her power. I had hoped for an interesting fight but it seems they want to make this drag on and turn into a battle of stamina. At least that is something I am confident we will not lose. Peter chose the wrong girls to pick that sort of fight with.
I smile to think we can win the fight and suddenly there is a hand on my throat. He must have broken the deal! There are still two mages up there, but wait… there are still three mages back where they started!
“Care to surrender?” Peter asks from right behind me. It is his hand on my throat.
“How?” I ask stunned.
“Mirage.” Peter says but he sounds weird. He sounds as if he is in pain. “Now would be a good time to give up. I’m not going to give you a second chance to surrender.” He sounds like he means it.
“I surrender.” I say and hand him my jewel. I thought I might lose, but not like this. It is humiliating to lose to a trick like that. We are back in the arena.
“The winner is…” The commentator starts to say but then gasps. I hear a thud. I turn and see Peter is lying face up on the floor. He is lying in a pool of blood. Then Rin is kneeling beside him and pouring a potion down his throat. It is obviously a healing potion, but then Rin gasps.
After a moment a tiny pale fairy like woman with beautiful wings flies into the arena. She is wearing a small green cloth over her waist like a skirt and smaller bits of the same cloth tied onto a thread cover her breasts. She has short green hair that matches her clothes. Her eyes are blue. Then she starts to chant and a soft green light covers Peter. The light fades and Peter is no longer bleeding.
“Thank you Lucy.” Peter says with a weak smile.
“Why didn’t you get yourself healed before the match!?” I shout at Peter and suddenly everyone seems to be looking at me. Perhaps I shouldn’t have shouted, but I can’t be the only one thinking that.
“I did.” Peter says and I blink in confusion. “Now is not the time to discuss this. Rin, port us and the twins to your room.”
“Fine, but you have some explaining to do when we get there. You, both get over here now!” Rin yells at us. As we rush over to them the commentator quickly starts to announce the result of the match. Then Rin ports us and we are in a small room with two beds.
“Give them the contract.” Peter says and Rin quickly hands us a contract. It is exactly what we discussed so we sign it and become members of Future’s Forge. I am relieved that I am no longer a slave even if I was only a slave for a minute or two. I suppose until we go to the town hall and sort out the paperwork there I am still a slave but the contract binds Peter to free me so he no longer has the option of keeping me a slave.
“So start explaining. How did you get the wound and why didn’t it stay healed?” Rin questions Peter accusingly. Then Yu Kii, Cherry and Emma all port into the room.
“I was stabbed with a dagger. It had powerful magic on it.” Peter says and suddenly I see blood start to appear on his chest again. “Lucy, sorry, but please heal it again.” Lucy places a hand on the wound and Peter winces but then it is healed again.
“I know this magic.” Lucy say
s with a frown. “The dagger which inflicted this wound is one held by a minor noble family that are skilled at earth and water magic. I forget their name.”
“Wait!” Rin exclaims and looks at Peter in shock. “It can’t be…”
“I don’t know who stabbed me.” Peter says but even I’m not convinced.
“Was it Asuna, or was it Hinata?” Rin asks in a voice as cold as ice.
“Elucia.” Peter answers weakly and Rin gasps. Who is Elucia?
“Where?” Rin asks weakly.
“My room.” Peter answers.
“Did she blast her way in?” Rin asks.
“No. She just ported right behind me. I didn’t have time to react.” Peter says.
“But you never gave her permission, did you?” Rin asks.
“Of course I didn’t!” Peter protests.
“Then how did she port past the room’s protection?” Rin asks confused.
“I don’t know.” Peter says sounding confused.
“It was the Hoshi.” Lucy says firmly. “They had the dagger with this enchantment.”
“It can’t be a coincidence.” Rin says angrily at Peter.
“Perhaps they took it in yesterday’s attack.” Peter says.
“But we killed or captured them all.” Rin protests.
“Perhaps one or more left before we got there.” Peter says.
“Call Asuna and Hinata here.” Rin says firmly.
“Fine, but don’t go making accusations. Their mother was killed yesterday. The last thing they need is to be suspected of this.” Peter says. Then his eyes glaze over and Asuna Hoshi ports in front of him. She has brought a younger girl with her who I assume is her sister Hinata. Asuna looks really emotional, but if her mother was just killed I can understand that. Hinata on the other hand looks blank and is kneeling completely motionless like a doll. It is unnerving to say the least.
“Asuna… Is this the first time either of you have left your town since the attack last night?” Rin asks.
“Yes.” Asuna answers and Peter nods to Rin. Then Asuna asks Peter. “What’s wrong?”
“How are you both coping?” Peter asks and sends Rin a warning glare.
