The first day of traveling had passed without incident— without a patient waking from her surgery—and the group had settled around a mighty campfire as an expert chef readied dinner.
“I’m looking at the map,” said Quella. “We’re due to arrive in Ria tomorrow, yet why don’t we take this detour? This trail circles to the southeast. It’ll cut our travel ti by two days.”
“As much as I dislike it, it is only proper to send advance forewarning of my visit via diplomacy.”
“Is that why we're going to Ria?” Greggie flipped the steaks, and Tilde licked her lips at the savory grill marks.
Honestly?
It looked fine, but I wasn’t craving at. The thought didn’t disgust , yet if it wasn’t for assimilation?
I’d pass.
“Yes. The soldiers have a base stationed in the ruins. I expect them to have a ssenger. I’m sure Gloria’s aware of the Eagle Yew’s disappearance, so she’s probably anxiously anticipating the arrival of a Vredi.”
“Why couldn’t we have flown?” asked Ami. “Instead of taking the wagons? We could’ve arrived by noon.”
“We thought about it,” I replied, turning over a few veggies I had roasting over the open flas. They were soaked in olive oil and encrusted in garlic and cheese—an utterly savory combination.
“Niva’s in no condition to travel that way,” added Tris. “It won’t pose the greatest risk, but a risk--nonetheless-- we cannot accept. She desires stability above all else. Should she awake in a delirium state of mind, it’s preferable to have her within a bed that can adjust for sudden, jarring movents.”
“Teleportation, unfortunately, is also out of the question. I don’t have any saved coordinates nearby,” said Sera. She held her staff and hugged her knees, watching the crackling flas with those brown, stern eyes.
“Fortune may shine upon us, Sera.”
“What do you an?” she asked Tris.
“My lord's wooden puppets surveyed the base via aerial reconnaissance after we settled down.”
“There’s a mage with a communication crystal,” I said after Tris. That wasn’t the biggest lie. I ‘saw’ the mage via [Skyview], and [Deduction] confird the latter. “Logic dictates it’s connected to soone in the capital because wouldn’t Gloria want to be inford about everything?”
“Why hadn’t she helped Eagle Yew?” asked Elly. “Why not send soldiers, food, and supplies?” She was busy rubbing lotion on Keeth’s hands. They looked rougher than a coal miner’s—the skin was cracked, and the welts were thick and bruised. Recovery wouldn’t be quick.
“The Eagle Yew caught fire not long ago,” said Yew. She sat between Sera and . “It takes ti to organize people, doesn’t it?”
“It does, but that is not an excuse. Gloria didn’t send help after the barrier broke. She…didn’t do anything. Aello said the village received no assistance, so… In my eyes…”
That’s another advantage we hold over her. She didn’t send help because ruria’s spies were already active. They falsified reports and convinced Gloria that everything was okay. It all cos back to that goddamn woman and her shitty brainwashing. Yet Gloria isn’t innocent of anything. She will pay and suffer.
“Mila’s right. Even if Gloria was aware of the Eagle Yew disappearance the mont it happened, it was too soon. Organizing the relief effort and readying a squadron of teleportation mages takes ti. I cannot fault her for that. However, I will never forgive her delay in not delivering an ounce of relief after the bounded field broke. It is unforgivable and unjustifiable.” Sera winced after uttering those words, although only I caught her grimace. She knew how that statent applied to her since she let the past co between checking on Aetos.
“My recon revealed a mage with teleportation magic. I’m unsure if that’s our shortcut to our destination, but it won’t hurt to ask.”
My lord, a report about [Void Warp]. The reverse engineering is approximately 75% complete. I predict it’ll be ready for initial testing soon.
That’s amazing.
Wait until you hear this. I’m integrating it with [Skyview] and aligning the targeting vectors with waypoints. That way, you only need to mark where you want to go, and the calculations will be done automatically. They’ll remain in a queue. The warps can even be daisy-chained to initialize one after another.
It sounds like you’re bringing out the skill’s full potential.
I am! Remy’s infantile use cannot compare to the mastery I now wield over it.
I’m eager to try it.
The food was soon done, and everyone but Sekh grabbed a plate.
“You refuse to eat?” asked Sera.
“I’m not hungry.” That wasn’t a lie. I had squeezed a sli clone inside her helt and retrieved food for Sekh to snack on throughout the trip. I didn’t like it, though. I hated that she had to be stuck inside it, but really…
What other option did we have that didn’t involve a gigantic risk?
It’s only temporary… Rember that, Mila.
“Even after traveling all day? Surely you aren’t planning to sleep in that.”
“…”
“You are, aren’t you?” Sera lowered her fork as if she pitied Sekh. “Do you find that much comfort in it?”
“More than you know. Mila made it with Tris’s help. I…want to wear it as much as I can.”
“Sera,” I said, changing the topic. “There is sothing you must know before we confront Gloria. She is not aware of them, but she has many reasons to want dead.”
“Why?”
“It happened months ago,” I said, recanting when I had the displeasure of eting Noelia. I spared little detail, and the group clung to my words. “I won’t lie. My reasons for initially saving Niva were selfish, yet I’m glad I acted. Noelia was soone who did not deserve to live. Soul Warrior or not—the despicable mongrel embodied all the values of cowardice since she clung to safety behind that damage transfer slave seal.”
Sera’s eyes had gone wide when I admitted to killing Noelia. Her face was stunned in almost inequivalent disbelief.
Quella knew, yet she feigned surprise to keep the ruse going.
“I do not regret it. And I never will. Just know that the truth may co out when we talk to her.”
“Mila… You… That’s… Don't get wrong—I am glad you intervened to save her life, but a Vredi directly killing a Holy Lord’s Soul Warrior on her own land? Such an action is not without dire consequences.”
“They’ve already happened. Ria’s eventual fate was the outco. Gloria arrived and shut down the dungeon. Arella donned a disguise to extract info from the town. A chira showed up after we returned from Aetos Village, and I presu Gloria believed it was responsible. So, you see…” I clenched my fist hard enough to bend the fork like a paper ball. “Lord Aetos’s wounds… The city’s burning demise… I was the catalyst that instigated it all.”
Sera imdiately hugged , and I felt weak.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”
“It’s okay, Mila. I swear it is. Does Lord Aetos know?”
“He does. He said… He…”
“Mila, the Eagle Yew did not harbor resentnt,” Yew suddenly said, her voice an ounce braver. She hugged and squeezed my arm. “Please, stop crying… It’s okay… The Eagle Yew didn’t die, rember? Because I’m here. I wouldn’t be here if it disliked you. You did your best to help soone who needed it.”
“She’s right,” continued Sera. “The fault ultimately lies with Gloria for summoning such a wretched creature to be her Soul Warrior. Even still, she approved of Noelia’s antics. For what reason? We do not know, but I cannot think of anything to justify it. Do not worry about retaliation, sister. I will not let anything happen to you."
"Sera..." She supported my head. Sekh rubbed my back, and Tris and Tilde touched my arm.
It took about five minutes to regain my emotions—I felt so much better after getting it off my chest. Sera wasn’t upset I didn’t tell her in Orchta. She knew it couldn’t have been easy—especially since it was our first eting and I was ‘wary about using the Vredi na.’
I can’t ntion Ira. Not yet. It feels too soon.
We returned our attention to the food and ate as Tris announced a small project she had been working on was completed.
“The research behind the disguise magic has finished.”
“You’re a spell crafter?” Sera’s eyes widened.
“Affirmative. My lord, here are the notes.”
The spell’s also been initialized, so it is only a thought away.
I took the sheet music and played the soft lody while ntally casting the spell. Colorless orbs manifest and spread to Quella’s team, enveloping their bodies in a faint shimr that…
…failed?
“Huh? We look the sa. Is it broken?”
“No, Ami. It’s working. The spell does not work on those who hear it. My lord, could you play the second part?” I did. Six tiny hand mirrors appeared. “These can reflect the magic. Take a look. You'll see how others will perceive you.”
Elly remarked that she always liked red hair. “I kinda wished I was born a redhead. I like the mole, but my face is…awfully squarish…”
“Indeed. Only slight modifications were changed to keep a paradox from forming between your body’s true asurents and your disguise. The bulk of the alterations are above the torso. Your height and weight did not change. Please note, Quella, that the spell cannot hide Soul Weapons. I recomnd keeping it within yourself.”
“What about our voices?”
“Yes. Turn the mirror over and speak into the bottom.”
Greggie did and exclaid about his accent. It was…so posh and uppity.“Hold on… Do we…”
“Hmm? The answer to your unasked question is obvious. You all are rcenaries who rushed to protect the Eagle Yew before I arrived, and I am rely repaying my debt,” Sera plainly said. “Is that not the truth?”
Greggie looked at Keeth and nodded. If that was Sera's 'excuse...'
Why worry? The cover story was basic, but it suited our needs. Besides, it was like she said.
It was, in essence, the truth.
“What if we run into enemies? Will the magic vanish if things get ugly?”
“Fighting will not break the illusion, so do not worry about that. Ah, there is one more thing. The spell is initially powered by the caster. The mirror requires mana from the user to sustain it, although additional assistance, if needed, can be drained from the caster if the user is within range. However, I doubt that will apply to Soul Warriors. I'm sure you have the mana to spare.”
“That’s so cool… Thanks a lot!”
“You’re welco, Ami.” Tris smiled and returned to her dinner—as we all did—and sohow found enjoynt in this motley crew.
*****
*****
Dinner was over, and you’d think it would be bedti since we were setting off early. That was the plan, but the group had other ways to attract slumber rather than lie still.
Quella, Sera, and I sat around the campfire and listened to its welcoming crackling as mundane discussion passed the ti. Sekh wasn’t with . She had gone with Tilde and Tris to check on Niva, Lei, and Primrose. Sekh hadn’t had ti alone with them since we reunited, so I figured this was a good opportunity. Elly was leading Greggie and the others in a late-night jazzercise workout. Yew had a curious look, so I encouraged her to join.
She looked so happy-- that smile she wore was so worth it.
“Are you surprised? I see it in your face,” said Quella. She hugged her to. The faint flas flickered off her glasses like animated stained glass.
“Forgive for being abrupt, but is dancing for exercise common in your world?”
“Yes, it is. It’s an easy, fun way to get out and move. Elly’s an idol, so they often have to sing and dance for hours. It’s incredibly taxing on the body.”
“I see… The closest equivalent would be…opera? It’s a dramatic work often set to music and cos in multiple acts. The next would be...plays, I suppose.”
“We have those in our world. I guess similar culture can be found almost everywhere.”
“Indeed. There are only so many ways for mortal kind to entertain themselves, but I have not heard of idols before.”
“It’s a concert,” explained Quella. “It’s like an opera, but there’s often no story or the. It’s a musician singing on stage for their fans. Elly once played at a music festival that sold over 500,000 tickets. It lasted a week.”
Sera’s eyes went wide at the number. “Did she play every day?”
“No. Every artist perford their chosen block.”
“How long was Elly’s?”
“Three hours,” casually said Quella. “It was winter, but the stage lights made it hot. They wanted an encore, so she returned and played for another thirty minutes. The group after her had gotten car sick from the bus ride, so they had to kill ti sohow, and Elly sang for another forty minutes. She had the longest performance, albeit not by personal choice.”
“Bus…ride?”
“Do you know about automobiles?” Sera shook her head, and Quella detailed a summary of them.
At least that’s the sa between our worlds.
“Electric vehicles? Is that your world’s version of mana? You ntioned discovering it with lightning, and…” Sera snapped her fingers and danced a small lightning bolt from hand to hand before dissolving it.
“Hmm… Yes, you could say it. This is only scratching the surface, but electricity in our world is the ability to control nearly massless particles of atoms invisible to the naked eye. We use the generated energy to power chanical devices. We have generators that use gasoline to fuel an internal combustion engine, which creates a current. So, the engine spins a shaft and rotates an electromagnet called an armature. That’s inside a magnetic field called stator, which generates electricity through the copper wiring.”
“…”
“Ahh…” Quella nervously chuckled and scratched her chin. “It’s been a while since I’ve had to explain sothing. I guess I went a little too technical with it. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be!” Sera’s ears perked up and wiggled. “I think it’s amazing you co from a world like that. I don’t often have the chance to speak with Soul Warriors, and I’ve always envisioned what other realities must be like.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I… Errm… As a Vredi… I don’t often make public appearances. I will if I must after casting illusion magic to hide my face, but we prefer to reside in the shadows."
“Do you often assist with the Lord Conference?”
“Sotis,” Sera answered . “Never in a public-facing role.”
“Does Lord Amos attend?”
“Lord Amos? He…doesn’t. Although we aren’t sure if he’s alive. No one’s heard from him in a long ti.”
“Did you know Lord Sajun?” inquired Quella.
“Mmm…” Sera nodded. “Lord Enele often treated him as a brother, yet it was comical since Lord Sajun looked old enough to be his grandfather. He beca a Holy Lord rather late in his life. I was at the funeral, you know. Hidden with cloak and illusion magic, but I was there. It felt like a part of Lord Enele died that day. The two were really close.”
“I’m almost certain ruria’s behind his death,” I said. “She must be. A scheming, flea-ridden wench like her had to have been involved.”
I knew she was because she had told Remy! And I had her mories!
I couldn’t reveal that, though. Quella knew, but not Sera. She’d ask how, which would add another lie.
I didn’t want that. I wanted my lies to be minimal—if possible.
“That’s likely to be true. I…” Quella sighed. “Even a second is far too long to spend with soone as despicable as her.”
“Your feelings burn bright. Forgive if you’d rather bypass the topic, but what exactly did ruria do to make you hate her so much?”
“I don’t mind discussing it.” Quella looked at . “ruria… She is soone who thrives on control. If sothing exists, it must answer to her. And if it answers to her, it must be loyal and imperishable, much like a puppet master controlling their dolls. ruria holds our strings. We dance to her tune…and we kill for her.” Quella summarized what was forced upon her after manifesting her Soul Weapon. “I used to cry at the sight of blood, but now I’m used to seeing it. It’s normalcy in the barest definition. I don’t feel much because it’s or them. I don’t want to die anymore, so it has to be them.”
Sera’s face went aghast with disgusting bile. “I’ve heard the rumors of her barbaric depravity. People speak, and whispers travel along the wind, but to hear it recanted first hand?”
“There’s more. ruria killed soone we knew in front of us.”
“A fellow Soul Warrior?”
Quella nodded. I…was fine. I’d accept what had happened. Yes—ruria had thrown into the void, yet I would not have nightmares about it. It wasn’t taboo because I could not deny what had happened.
“To be honest… I didn’t know Shuuta that well. Most of us didn’t. He wasn’t alone, of course. He had Greggie and Keeth. And Shuuta had a friend nad Will. He never spoke of his ho life, though. No one really knew why he attended kka Academy. He didn’t excel in any category, even though the academy only permitted the best. Things were going fine until he opened his Soul Crystal. It's just... Nothing erged.”
Only the best, huh? I need to hold my tongue. Just keep it in, Mila. The truth can be divulged later.
“Nothing?”
“Nothing. A 0-Star Soul Warrior.”
“Lord Enele once mused theories about sothing lower than a 1-Star Soul Warrior. So, it is true?”
“It is.” Quella unfolded her legs and tried to get more comfortable. She adjusted her robe and continued. “The opposite is true. Tokko and Mia breached the limit and beca 6-Stars. Their Soul Weapons each have two forms.”
“That’s…sothing else Lord Enele had theorized. I once helped him look through the records in Aquanis’s grand library. Unfortunately, we did not find proof.”
“To continue, ruria gave Shuuta a challenge. He had to achieve Soul Evolution within three days, but the vile bitch went back on her word. She held a sham trial and used magic to make it seem like we desired his sacrifice. Will purposely turned against his friends of his own accord to impress ruria. She restrained while Shuuta died. Team Quella… We’re the ones who argued back. Ignoring orders beget punishnt. That’s why she treats us like manure. We're bodies she throws at a problem."
“That’s so horrible… I… That’s not right, Quella. No one should receive that kind of treatnt!”
“I had nightmares for so long I had forgotten what it felt like to sleep,” Quella continued. “Until we arrived at Aetos Village. It was hurting, but the forest was still so beautiful that I… finally found peace in my dreams. I know I’m from another world, Sera. Yet I feel much more attached to Aetos Village than Junsa or Cridia. Don’t get wrong—Junsa had so good people who saw us for us. Elly was popular with them, too. And we spent so much ti with them. Yet… Most died in the ambush from Uquenia. We walked around Junsa, but…” Quella didn’t finish. She didn’t have to since her expressions said it all.
Sera changed the subject after a mont of silence. “ruria is a woman who flaunts her trophies. I’m certain she’ll display her Soul Warriors at the coming Lord Conference. That's when she'll officially announce her 6-Stars.”
“That conference will be her demise, Sera,” I said, thinking about the plan. "The showcase of power will backfire."
“Violence is forbidden, Sister. Not even I can protect you if you break the rules.”
“Who said anything about fighting?” I smirked. “Physical confrontation will not be necessary, for that awful woman thinks I am dead. Yet you can see…” I held Sera’s hand. “I’m alive as ever. One day, Sera, I’ll gather the courage to tell you what happened. I’m…not ready. The fresh wounds haven't yet haven’t healed.”
“It hurts my heart when you speak like that. My mind automatically assus the worst. I’m sorry you suffered by her hands. I wish I was there to save you.”
“Don’t be sorry. What happened to was not your fault. Please, believe when I say that.”
“I…” We looked at Quella. “I just want her to suffer as she made us suffer. I want her to endure Shuuta’s torture and…just die. She’s truly awful. No one has a soul stained with more sin than her. I told Lord Springfield this, but it felt like this day was only a dream. I thought we’d be under her shackles until she threw us to the grindstone. And…you know… We could’ve fought. We could’ve rebelled. It might’ve ended in failure and worst fates, but we’d have fought to the bitter end. Yet there’s actually a viable path for that rotten bitch to get her couppance.”
“Her team isn’t aware of what we have planned,” I said, looking Elly’s way. They weren’t within earshot.
“Why not?”
“Tris’s advice. She’s my tactician and planner. It’s not because we don’t trust them—we do. It’s that they aren’t anywhere as powerful as we are. Perhaps Ami has the closest potential. Greggie can fight on the front lines, but that's not his role. His abilities lean more for support with the skill to enchant his food with permanent buffs to your physical, dexterity, and magical attributes.”
“It hurts to keep it a secret,” added Quella, who continued my little white lie. “Still, it’s for the best.”
“I suppose I can’t disagree. I’m certain you have a plan.”
“I do. ruria's failure to ascertain my death will be her downfall. I know her deepest secrets. I’ve experienced that vile woman at her worst. Lord Enele can use [Truth Field] or his [Confernt] to verify my words for her peers to hear at the Lord Conference. Rumors will turn into truth, and everything around ruria will fall apart. I will ruin her life as she destroyed mine. Only death awaits. Violence may be forbidden, but does that apply to decrees given by the Dark Lord of Justice?”
“No, I don’t think it does. Lord Enele can’t throw around his power like a toddler throwing a tantrum. It cos with great responsibility that must be handled with delicate care. He will suffer if he misuses it.”
“As I thought. Sera? Can I ask you sothing?” I crossed my legs and rubbed my flute. “Do you still trust ? Do you think I—we can do this? Even when I’m staying mum about most things?”
“It’s less my trust in the plan and more of my trust in you. I said it before, but I won’t press you to reveal what ruria did to you. I won’t let you relive that awfulness to sate my curiosity, Sister. I vow you will have my assistance. I will not lose another Vredi. That extends to Yew, too. Look at her happiness… That smile… That childlike wonder… It deserves to be protected. Yew’s heart mustn’t face the cruelty this world emits, but that’s a naïve dream.”
“Then call a naïve fool,” I said. Sera lightly giggled.
“Your family is all that you’ve said and more. Irisa’s a lovely girl who oozes friendliness. Ichiha’s so motherly, and Kokan enjoyed his conversation with Lord Enele.”
“Erin?”
“Mmm. The girl fought against her timidness and opened up. She’s a strong girl, Mila. Erin's more courageous than she thinks. Chax and Ginnie are the perfect companions for her. Although I can say the sa for Longtooth and Kengu.”
“They evolved, didn’t they?”
Sera nodded. “I was surprised and thought an enemy was attacking. Summoners can evoke evolution within their spirits, but for Sekh to do it from so far away? She’s just as mighty as you’ve claid. Anyway, Ichiha told about…the incident. Lord Enele offered his help in clearing the truth. It may be uncomfortable to relieve those monts, but her family will realize the truth. How could they not when he uses his [Truth Field]?”
“I hope you’re right, Sister. Just know that you can’t expect to find logic where you should because emotions are naturally illogical. However… It would be nice for the family to co together. I’m excited to see them. I hope they’ll accept as their grandchild.”
Sera assured they would—I loved her positivity—and used that to transition into a favor concerning the recent attack.
“Can I teach soone to cast without speaking?”
“That’s right. Quella?”
“Sera, I’m a 5-Star Soul Warrior. I know I’m powerful, but there was an enemy mage with an orb of silence. I couldn’t do anything. I knew losing my voice was a weakness, but it never hit until it happened. I…felt so powerless. Yes, I had magic circles, but our relentless enemies stopped at every turn. Even disregarding their spells to steal our buffs and share them amongst themselves... One truth remains--it’s that I should’ve been more prepared. It’s another failure that shas .” Quella’s hands were shaking from how tightly she ford her fists.
She was always hard on herself. She’d been failing one after another since being summoned, shattering her family’s motto more than a dozen tis.
So things remained the sa between verifiable reality and the fake backstory ruria used for our 'world.' Of course, it'd be the cruel shit.
“Voiceless casting, ntal casting, silent casting… It goes by many nas, yet one thing remains the sa—it is, by far, the most difficult thod to learn, let alone master. Yet you are determined, Quella. Your eyes show no evidence of hesitancy, so you are willing to endure much in your pursuit. Still,” Sera said as she smiled. “You bled for Aetos Village, and I said I would repay you. So, I am happy to be your instructor! I’ll teach you how my sister taught . However…”
Sera nervously bit her lips.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“May we delay the start until tomorrow? That will give us sothing to pass the ti with while we travel.”
“Of course, that’s fine. Elly and the others may want to learn as well.”
“Then I shall extend the opportunity to them. It is the least I could do, after all.”
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