The moonlight was all that emitted light during the night. It shone on the windows, damp grass and the shiny armor of the knights from Lore's squad that had just arrived at Navi to do their usual routine check on the town. Soran was absent as he had escorted Eliza, his wife, to the palace hours earlier. The squad had patrolled the entire town, deeming it safe as they waited for Soran's return. Suddenly, a knight shouted, signaling a problem somewhere near Soran's house. The dust blew as Lore and Ivy headed toward him. Upon turning a corner to another street, they found him down and unconscious. Lore ran in after him and a trap was activated beside his body, a small ball that released a gas meant to force its target to sleep.
"Lore-san!!" Ivy shouted as she stood at a distance. Watching the quickly dissipating gas to end.
"I'm… fine… I have some time… before it gets to me completely." She answered, struggling to stand. A couple knights began shouting and once she noticed, Ivy ran after them, Lore lagging behind. They arrived to find a woman slashing the lot of the knights, they fell, one after the other, some dead, some in pain, others just passed out.
"Perilius!!" Ivy shouted. "What are you doing here??!!"
"That doesn't concern you." She said, sheathing the sword that definitely caught both the girls' attention.
"That's Soran-san's sword!!" Lore said. Perilius didn't waste time with it. She began running toward the front entrance of the town where she found a couple knights, ready and waiting for her. Lore figured that she would get past them, so she took advantage of the situation. "Forgive me, my knights." She whispered to herself, disappearing into the town alleys to find a shorter way to the entrance. Ivy followed Perilius from behind. A short sword in her hand.
"STOP!!" The knights demanded as they held their swords and lances up. Perilius swiftly drew her stolen sword, slashing through them like they were leaves of grass lined up in a perfect line. They all swiftly fell, just as Lore predicted, but as Peril sheathed the sword, she saw a shadow on the ground. Upon looking up, she saw a girl with black hair launching an attack on her. She also saw another figure above her, Lore, who was charging up an area-wide attack on Peril, sure it would get her. But she noticed the girl, and the girl noticed Lore.
"ALLOY??!!" Both Ivy and Lore shouted, the moonlight had betrayed her, shining on her face and revealing who she was to Lore. Lore knew she couldn't afford to hurt the princess, despite her recklessness. She aimed away from the girls in order to avoid harming Alloy, Perilius took the chance and grabbed Alloy, yanking her to the ground in front of her. Lore was next, Peril had prepared to kick her but she already launched another attack in the split second that Alloy was yanked.
'Impressive' Peril thought. The attack landed on her foot as she tried to jump away from it, causing her to limp a bit. But she struggled through. Lore landed next to Ivy. She began falling to the ground. "The drug is finally working. That's one down." Peril said. A smirk tied to her face.
"Make sure… she doesn't do anything stupid." That was the last thing she said before she blacked out. Ivy held her, placing her gently against the ground. When she looked back, Peril was about to launch an attack when Alloy jumped from where she was thrown to attack Peril. From then on… (Read Chapter 1)
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"Soon enough after that, the fight ended. Perilius got away, and Soran-san had returned." Lore finished.
"OUCH!!!!" Alloy shouted. Zed's fist was smoking as he spoke.
"You should learn when to join a fight. Interfering almost costed Lore her life."
"I'm sorry, Lore." She said, almost weeping but squealing from the pain in her head. Lore simply nodded, setting the thought aside.
"At ease," the king said. "I'm glad you're all back safe, the injured are doing better, I presume??"
"Thanks to Eliza-sama's herbal remedies, most of them should already be up. For the critical, it may take a longer time." Lore replied.
"Wait. Eliza is here??!!" Alloy shouted. Her eyes driven wide by the information.
"I am, dear." A golden voice spoke as the doors opened. A 5'4 woman with an average build entered. The closer to the king she got… the easier it was to see her. Her love for kimonos remained unmatched. She had styled a white kimono that had patterns of blue roses all around it. It was stretched a bit thin on her chest due to her larger-than-average-sized breasts, but otherwise, she wore it like the royal she was. Her soft eyes slightly brightened the room with the warmth they resonated and her silver hair that blended with white shone very carefully.
"Still quite the reckless rascal aren't you??" She chuckled as she walked toward Zed. The commanders and Ivy bowed slightly as she passed them. Alloy jumped from her seat, shouting "Aunt Ellie!!" to hug her, then they both sat down. Eliza taking Naja's position as she moved to the one next to her. Eliza was the younger sister to Zed. She was the wife to Soran and they both lived in the town of Navi.
"The knights should be okay within the week." She said, confirming Lore's report.
"Thank you, Ellie." Zed said. "Trogan."
He stepped forward and held his fist to his chest, bowed slightly and began speaking. His formality was similar to that of Lore.
"Your Majesty, Gar has no issues. Mayor Laron is still unwell, but his sickness seems to be holding thanks to Eliza-sama's herbs. There have been rumors of the night forest experiencing a couple problems with the animals and plants there, but I intend to confirm and eradicate these suspicions tonight."
"Alright. I trust you to report immediately you find something."
"I will, as usual, your Majesty."
"But I know you'll tell Qete first..." He laughed. "At ease."
"Oh! I almost forgot, in case any of you was wondering… because of this incident, Qete herself is busy sending out her men to look for Perilius in the ends of Navi town, that is why she isn't here. Good work everyone!! You are all dismissed."
"SIR!!" The four people saluting in front of him exclaimed at once. Alloy left her seat, trying to run after Ivy but she felt herself go nowhere since Zed had held her back. She fell like she was forced to sit down.
"Dear," Eliza began. Alloy looked up at her… "I have to check on that bracelet of yours."
"This thing??" Alloy said, lifting her hand to show the complete ebony black bracelet that she had on since she was 8 years old. "It's fine."
"You sure??"
"Yes, aunt Ellie, I promise, can I go now??"
"Go ahead." She said with a smile.
"Ivy!!" Alloy shouted as she ran toward her. "What should we do today??" She asked once she was standing next to her.
"I know you'll find something to do. I have to get to my squad so things like last night don't happen again." Ivy replied.
"Oh…" She said, her shoulders slumped in disappointment. "Okay!! I'll find something to do. I'll find you at the usual place??"
"I'll be there." Ivy said. She turned and walked, following her commander. Alloy also left. Leaving Eliza and Zed to catch up.