亚洲综合中美

“What!” inquired she with a less than inviting voice – one of which was of profane origin.

“I don’t mean to be rude,” said he still holding her forehead. She had tried to embrace and push the man on the bed. “I’m a married man, and what thee are trying to do is the same as the man earlier attempted. Is that really the way thee wishes to proceed?”

“N-no,” she gave into deep breaths. “It wasn’t my intent,” she fell to the floor, “-I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious. It’s just, earlier, you came and killed the man who had plagued my life ever since I came into this village. Like you, I was a traveler, sent off to the mainland during the war so many years ago.”

“Come on,” after toggling the slightly helpful light, “-get up,” he gave a helping hand.

“T-thanks,” she grabbed to stand, “-I’m sorry I was trouble.” The full moon’s ray caressed her face.

“Take a seat,” he offered to then close the curtain.

.....

“A-are you sure,” the figure gently sat, the motion screamed of pain. The right foot had dark-black rashes. It explained to her limping earlier.

“There’s no need to be tactful. I’m sure standing up must be a vexing prospect.”

“Well,” quietly tilting her head to stare at the roof as well as keep the man in her field of vision, “-I can’t let this stop the work I have to do. Some people count on me in Arda, the money I send is very much important for their upbringing.”

“I see,” said he comfortably, “-want to tell me about it?”

Her hands moved in a confused manner. Her ears and tail spoke volumes of her not knowing how to respond. The flickering of the lashes, the mild spasms of her nose, and the noticeable heavy breathing. “-Give me a moment,” she paused.

“Here,” he offered a glass of water.

“T-thanks,” gulping the whole thing, “-thank you for earlier.”

“Don’t mention it,” said he returned to the opposing chair.

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

‘Avoiding the issue,’ he thought, ‘-she knows things that may be of interest. What’s the best approach...’

“Yes, actually,” the aura changed into one reminiscent of home, a place where one relaxed in the company of others. ‘She misses her family; I guess manipulation is going to come in handy.’

“Could you tell me a bit about the Village of Earn?” the moaning of the neighbors grew into a full-on fight – screams of pleasure disrupted their conversation.

“The village of Earn,” unbothered by the noise, “-it’s a pretty nice place to live. I mean, there’s food and shelter, life here isn’t expensive. The heat isn’t as obvious as in Lazuli. I mean, as long as you don’t get in the way of the people’s belief, their prayers of the night, then you’re fine.”

“Could I pry a little more?” asked he with a fatherly impression.

“I-I...” she stopped.

“I apologize, there’s no need to recount what thee don’t want,” the voice suddenly filled with sincerity and trueness of goodwill. “I don’t want to be uncomfortable to a lady who was...”

“No, no,” the hand and head shook in dismissal, “-I needed a few seconds to gather my thoughts.”

“No, no,” returned he, “-there’s no need to speak if thee don’t want to – I respect thy choice of silence.” The ajar window had a breeze snuck into the room. The warmness soon divulged into the cold reality of Earn. Amidst the breeze came the faint crackling of burning wood. The ground moved with stomps and chants. Lights from lanterns cast shadows against the close buildings. It cut the conversation; her face froze.

“Don’t,” she whispered sharply, “-don’t stare!” even the noisy inn grew into a grave.

The tinkling of bells painfully ambled along the road for a while.

*MORE,* came from the hallway, the activity resumed as the bells faded.

“That was close...” exhaled Mela. Her face was met with a suspicious Staxius. The figure sat with fingers gently tapping the chair’s arm. The intruder breeze carried his hair to the side.

“I think we’re done for tonight.”

“No please,” she said loudly, “-I’ll tell you everything.”

‘Easy,’ thought he stopped midway standing.

“The village of Earn has darker secrets than most places around. We have the involvement of the underground as well as a few cults who cull the ‘forsaken’. I’m willing to continue the conversation. I’m sure the stories would be entertaining, but I don’t want to say anymore that could endanger the life of a traveler, let alone a stranger.”

“I’m touched that thee think of others,” said he coldly, “-it’s admirable, I truly respect said mindset. Though I’m not a mere traveler, I came here for a good reason. We have our secrets.”

“I understand,” she nodded, “-let me start with the underground. The DG is selling pills. Well, that’s what the sellers on the street tell us each time. I’ve seen people go insane after a few doses, I don’t know if it’s the pill or the dosage. I mean, everyone knows the rumor of the DG being a chivalrous dark-organization. They helped the poor many o’ time. The cults, I mean, you heard them, earlier right? They cull the forsaken. I heard that from the few drunken guests. After one of my companions took the dose, she never came back, I figured her to have gone back to Arda. Well, I don’t think that relates to the cult. We are told by the village leader to not sneak out at night, from 23:00 to 00:00, no one is allowed to get out. Tis the culling hour, they pray for protection against the monsters. The screaming forest is a real menace to our lives – just yesterday, a boy and girl went missing. There’s been no news yet. The search ended in only a boot being found farther inside.”

“Is that all?”

“Yeah, that’s all...” her face lightened; “-I feel much better now.”

“About the man earlier,” voiced he, “-is he related to the DG?”

“I-I t-think,” apprehensive about speaking, “-he s-said s-so.”

“Forget I asked,” smiled he, “-what are you going to do now?”

“I’m done for tonight,” said she, “-I’ll head home.”

“Let me accompany you then.”

“No, there’s no need...”

“Don’t worry,” grabbing the nearest coat, “-come on, a lady must not venture at night so late.” Pushing the door open, she gracefully accepted the offer.

‘I’ve killed the supposed member of DG. There’s a chance the other lackeys to come ask questions. I care less about her safety; she’ll be the perfect bait.’

“You going home?” asked the other worker.

“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” they exchanged kisses to continue outside. The full-moon made it easier to see. The modest street-lights here and there didn’t affect much. They but added to the atmosphere. The duo walked along the pavement.

“Why did you come to Elendor?” asked she with hands inside her coat.

“Nothing much really. Things happened around the world, so I figured visiting an old friend would clear the mind.”

“Must be nice,” said she with flushed cheeks.

“What is?”

“Being able to see the people you care about whenever you want. Arda seems so far away now, the plane tickets are too expensive. They are worth the same as a full year’s rent here. I’ve no idea how my brother managed to book the flight.”

“Your brother,” interjected Staxius, “-he’s Ardanian, right?”

“Yes,” said she with pride, “-he’s a member of the Royal Family’s guard.”

“Oh, is that so, how long?”

“He joined very, very long ago. The situation with Kreston and all that, he figured it best for me to leave,” soothing and nice, her speech grew warm.

“Have you been up to date with the news?”

“What news?” she paused.

“The Krestonian Holy Invasion, saints came into Arda, do you not know?”

“No... most of the information is blocked. A village as reclusive as Earn doesn’t get much information on things outside of what the people tell us. Did something happen?”

“Not really, out of interest, do you know what unit he worked for?”

“Let me think,” they stopped at a crosswalk. “I think he was part of the Queen’s special guard unit. He told me of becoming an adventurer per the king’s orders.”

“The Queen’s special unit,” wondered he piecing the information, |”-what’s his name?”

“Rasu,” said she with a smile, “-he’s a weird guy who disappears without saying a word.”

“The world sure is a small place,” thought Staxius, “-Rasu you say.”

“Do you know him?”

“Yes, he’s helped on various occasions.”

*BANG!* a flash followed by ‘tack’.

“GET DOWN,” he pushed her head downwards.

“What’s happening?”

“We’re under fire, that’s what,” *Death Element: Magical Barrier.* The bullets increased in intensity. ‘I knew it.’

“Master, does thee need help?” spoke a figureless voice.

The shadow realm thundered with dark-grey clouds.

“What’s happening?” asked Miira sat on a table with the other goddesses.

“The signal,” commented Intherna, “-it’s the signal of the master being in danger.”

“The man can’t be in danger,” voiced Miira, “-as powerful as he is, there’s no way he’ll be in any sort of problem.” The thundering grew heavy.

“Miira,” said Intherna softly, “-be a darling and go help our master.”

“Sure,” she reluctantly materialized.

“Does thee need help?” asked she came on a world of constant fire.

.....

“Maybe,” he said in jest, “-the bullets aren’t anything to worry about, but they sure are annoying.”

“And the lady behind?”

“A family member of a friend – could you please take care of the annoyance?”

“Sure,” *snap*...*snap,* a second later, “-there, they’re dealt with.” The darkness of the night prevailed into eternal silence. “Shall I leave?”

“Thank you for the help,” they shook hands. On that, Mela returned home safely, she didn’t ask questions nor tried to understand what happened. The fight ended the moment it started; ‘the powers of a vampire is almighty,’ tis what she thought.

Out in the far reaches of the divine plane, Qhildir stood before a council of gods and goddesses. The ever-present sense of fulfillment of the golden glow of the coliseum had the beings smile.

“God of Philosophy,” voiced Zeus with angels tending to his needs, “-I heard thee have chosen an heir. The Librarian of Nexsolium, how worthy is she?”

“The Librarian managed to create this orb here,” a snap had the object summoned, “-she wielded the grimoires without trouble. I’ve never seen such prowess from other candidates before. The homunculus thee have sent, beings made for the purpose of being my heir, were failures. This girl, on the other hand, has far exceeded my expectation.”

“Good,” he smiled, “-how long does thee think she’ll be able to use the chronicles of time?”

“My lord...”

“Qhildir, tis the agreement we said upon. Grant me usage of the chronicle of time and I shall make sure thy lover is returned.”

“Y-yes, my lord,” lowering the head, the other gods could but snicker softly.

“The council is concluded for today. God of philosophy, better make sure to find the symbol of the power of my father. I don’t care about the means, go forth and do so!” he thundered.

‘Zeus has gone crazy,’ thought the sly Lixbin, ‘-he wants to have dominion over time. The God-slayer was killed and yet, we didn’t find the symbol of power. I wonder who inherited his will. The man wishes to create another war to perturbed the balance of demons and gods. What is he thinking?’

On the firm soil of Earn, Staxius strolled around the outskirts of the village. The screaming forest in particular. The information on cults and the fake DG representatives needed investigation. Thus, the 27th started with him using the All-Seeing eyes. The expansive forest was a labyrinth. Neither sun nor moon could get past the foliage.

‘They must have a place of operation,’ thought he whilst exploring. A faint scent of mana tickled his nose. Following the trace, the seamlessly opaque trees gave into a passageway. A cave that continued downwards into the unknown.

‘Interesting...’