Ostentum (Magic Knight Errant Quest)

[GonnaSneeze]

[X] Void

---

You exhale slowly and concentrate, as you try to make use of a new ability your study has taught you.

(-4 MP)

You feel a new sensation blow through you, and know that you've succeeded.

(Ability learned: Null Body. Extra magical effects, including buffs, debuffs, abnormal statuses caused by magic, and healing cannot be applied to you; previously applied effects will remain for their original duration. Certain magical attacks will have reduced effectiveness when used either against you or by you. Uses 2MP every round it remains active.)

An inexplicable feeling of emptiness pulses through you as the ability takes hold - but the feeling passes momentarily, dulling to a sensation so slight that you have to focus to feel it. You examine your body and stretch for a moment, confirming that you're still perfectly fine. You grin confidently and clench your fist. You've done it! To have learned to use an entirely new ability in such a short time, you can't help but be proud. Of course, you don't forget what allowed you to make such progress.

"Ahh, amazing." Ancillas nods, smiling ever so lightly. He seems to notice that you've succeeded. "Congratulations, Miss Lethis."

"Thank you," you quickly turn to him, "And thank you for your assistance. I've only made such progress thanks to you."

"Ah, no, that's...it's your own effort..." he lowers his head nervously.

"Allow yourself some credit, Ancillas. Modesty is fine, but a prince ought to take pride in his achievements, right?"

"..." he doesn't look up, eyes locked on to the floor. "Yes...I suppose you're right..."

--

After deactivating the ability, you feel at the magic essence within you - you're certain you could do it again. You've learned it, definitely.

You look over at the still open book on the table, then out the window at the night sky; the sun set some time ago. What time it is, you aren't exactly sure, but "late" sounds about right. Not to mention...you were already tired thanks to your lack of sleep. You think it's time to end the day, unless there's anything important you've forgotten to do.

[] Bed time

[] Anything important you've forgotten to do (Write-in)

 

[GonnaSneeze]

"aaaaah i need to get this done already"
- sneeze for 4 days

[X] Bed time

---

The both of you fairly tired, you easily decide that you should rest. You're glad to be getting some real sleep, tonight. Just as last time, you set up your makeshift bed on the floor.

You wish the prince a good night; he meekly answers in kind. ...You hope he'll be able to rest well. He's undoubtedly still troubled over the death of his sister, anyone would be.

Well, fretting won't help right now. Rest is what both of you need.

So, bed time. You eventually drift to sleep...

--


The wooden tool in your hand blows apart as a huge, black explosion blasts forth from your palm - the force destroys the wall in front of you, and some of the ceiling with it. You cradle your now bloodied hand as you look around in a panic at the clearing dust. That scowling man is staring at you with wide eyes.

"What the- You-!"

"I...I didn't mean to!"

"Hey, get over here!"

"Forgive me, please!"

"Show me your hand, girl, are you hurt? ... Here, I can heal it."

"Eh...?"

"Lass, what's your name?"

"Uh...wait..."

--

You crack your eyes open. You sit up, groaning lightly. From the dim light out the window, it looks like the sun is just beginning to rise, and from the light snoring on the bed next to you, it looks like the prince is still asleep.

Slowly, you rise fully, gathering up your makeshift bed spread. You blink hard a few times as you think back to your dream. You can remember it still, almost vividly. Quite a bizarre dream to have...it felt like a childhood memory, but you have no memories like that, not to mention that you aren't completely sure what was even happening.

You yawn silently and look around. No point pondering a dream too much. Instead you should be thankful that it seems the prince has slept soundly. You were worried about that, after all.

You pull together a few more of your things and look out the window again. Just a bit more of the sun is peeking out. You ought to decide what you're going to do when the prince wakes. Shop? You'll have to buy necessities before leaving anyways, maybe you could search for other things to buy? You'd need to remember to watch your coinpurse, though.

You could still try to learn more about the killing of princess Lilya - the inn owner mentioned the crier telling him a bit, you think? Or you find some authorities to speak to? You came here because you were supposed to learn something...was learning of Lilya's death all it was? ...On the other hand, you could stop putting stock in what that suspicious woman said. Could very well have been some faked 'clairvoyant' act to get you to leave her alone; the news of the princess' death could have been coincidence.

All else aside, you could instead just continue your travel as soon as possible. Your ultimate objective remains to return the prince, and to do that you'll need to continue to your original destination to the north, Klause. The journey is likely to be a few hours longer than the trip you took to get to Charnet.

[] Find shops

[] Try to learn something

[] Explore the city

[] Depart

---

Write-ins welcome as always.

 

[GonnaSneeze]

[X] Try to learn something
-[X] Ask about Idunna, the woman who told you to go to Charnet.
-[X] Ask about the City of Charnet, what makes it special, its current troubles if any, and the condition of the roads.
-[X] Talk to the Innkeeper about Princess Lilya's death and try to pry what information you can.

---

You ought to try to learn something about these circumstances. About that woman, about Charnet, and about princess Lilya.

You don't have any reliable way of gathering information, so you'll likely just have to ask around. The innkeeper is probably a good place to start. You've also heard that bartenders tend to hear lots of drunken gossip...though it's doubtful how much help that could be.

You'll just have to do what you can.

The morning ritual of waking Ancillas goes as usual. You wait just a bit until he's prepared, then he follows you out. You let him know your intentions , that you intend to start asking around for information, including about princess Lilya. He nods and goes along, apparently having nothing to add. You head out.


Well, now you're back out in the foyer. A couple of seats at the bar are taken, a few more are seated at the tables around it, and there's a couple talking to the innkeeper.

You'll start at the bar, you guess. Surely the bartender could answer questions about the city - and you may try to pry about that woman, as well, but you don't expect to have much luck.

He notices you as you approach, eyeing you expectantly when you reach the counter.

"What'll you have, miss?"

"Actually," you shake your head, "I wanted to ask some questions."

"Such as?" He's already looked away, scanning the customers at the bar.

"This city, Charnet. Is there anything special about it?"

"Compared to what?"

"Er..." you fumble a bit, "Another city?"

"It's a bad city to own a business in," he mumbles, "Besides that, there's an army training post, and a decent sized library of eh...magical text or somesuch. That's all that's special, I imagine."

"A library for magic? Here?" You can't help but look curious. It's the first you've heard of this.

"Mmh. Charnet's got a bit of history with the magic crap. Apparently the first general of magic originally enlisted here; lived out in the sticks."

"I see...huh." You've learned of the late General Selaiut before, but not of her early career, only of her major accomplishments and later deeds. Like founding the Rune Fencers. To think, Kr'jora's first mage general originally lived in the rural, southern end of the country…

During your brief inner monologue, the bartender went to serve a couple of drinks. Once he's done you catch his attention again.

"Are there any...problems the city is facing? Or, I don't know, anything strange at all?"

"Not in the city, no. Though supposedly there's some nasty wolves stalking near the roads to Klause."

Klause...the next city to the north, and likely your next destination.

"Wolves, huh?"

"Supposedly. For a while now there's been some dangerous animals in the wilds around Klause." He yawns briefly. "The sentries at Klause are supposedly taking care of it, too, but who knows if those idiots can get it done."

"Ah." Sounds, well, dangerous.

"I only heard 'wolves' through word of mouth," he just continues on, "could be a bear. Or some kinda cats. Or a magic flying rat, for all I care. Just wish they'd take care of it already. Bad for the market for wagons to keep getting sacked."

"I see." You mutter once more as the chatty bartender is already moving on to tend to a new appearance at the bar. You mull over the gossip he's been sharing. That watch member in the last town told a similar story. It seems very likely that there is in fact some kind of dangerous animal or animals near the roads to Klause. That'll be worth remembering.

You check on Ancillas at your side. He's been idling quietly as you question the bartender, listening patiently. You ask him if he's doing alright, and he answers in the affirmative.

The bartender is open again. You've only got one more thing you think you'll ask him about…

"A bit more specific question," you grab his attention.

"An answer I'm less likely to know." He replies quickly.

"Have you met - or even heard of - a woman named Idunna?"

"Mm, not a name I've ever heard."

You try describing her. She did have a memorable appearance; most striking of which was probably her eyes. They were different colors, and one was purple, which is fairly odd considering you've never seen purple eyes before. When you think back on it, her hair was unusual, as well. It wasn't black, more of a dull gray, even though she clearly wasn't old. Gray or silvery hair...it's a rare trait, but not unheard of. You think it used to be common, but now is hardly seen, or...something? You've met a few with hair like that before, so it didn't occur to you at the time...

After hearing a description, the bartender rubs his chin lightly.

"Well, I'd remember seeing someone like that." He leans on the counter, "And I think I do."

"You do?"

"Probably. Only saw her, though. A girl like that came in early yesterday. As in, she walked inside, stood there a minute looking around, then stared at me 'till I looked at her, and left."

"..."

"It's true."

"And that's it?"

"Eyup."

You sigh. Apparently that mysterious woman has been here, showing up at this inn yesterday, some time before you ever arrived in town. You aren't really sure if you should welcome this information or not.

"And I don't suppose you know anything about her?"

"Nope. Never seen her before. And I don't know where she went."

"Alright, then. Thank you." You decide that's enough, for now. Next you need to check with the innkeeper...

"Next time buy a drink." He drones dismissively as you leave. What a guy.

Ancillas follows you along as you approach the innkeeper, who is now open to talk, that couple from earlier gone.

"Excuse me," you call as you close in.

"Yeah?"

"I was hoping you'd be able to tell me something…" you pause, aware of Ancillas just a bit behind you, "Regarding princess Lilya."

"Hm?" he cocks his head, staring at you.

"Do you know anything about what happened?"

"Not personally. Heard it was messy, though."

"What do you mean by that?"

"What I said," he half groans, half clears his throat, "All I know is what the crier told me when I asked. He told me it was, eh, 'messy'."

You hesitate to ask with Ancillas nearby, but do press on.

"By 'messy', you mean...?"

He grunts, "Closed casket messy."

Moving on.

"That's all you know?" You press further, hoping to get something out of this.

"Only other thing I heard, all her guards got killed, too."

"All...?"

He nods.

"Hmm..." you grunt. "Well, that's all I needed, I suppose."

"Have a nice day," he responds in monotone.

"...And yourself," you nod to him and move away.


You end up simply sitting down nearby with Ancillas, thinking through all you've learned from this short 'investigation'. The road to Klause may possibly be dangerous, Idunna has been not only to this city but to this very inn, and only just before you. And...

You briefly glance at Ancillas. His sister princess Lilya's death was...messy, and her guards were killed too. That sounds like she was definitely attacked, and by someone or a group of people who could have dispatched all of her guards.

How...unpleasant. Ancillas is bright, no doubt he realizes all this too. It's unfortunate he had to hear that, but...in the end it's probably unavoidable.

"Ancillas, how are you holding up?" You quickly turn to him.

"I'm fine...thank you for your concern." He smiles at you, once again.

Hm. Anyways - now what, you wonder. You feel like you won't be able to learn much more, here. So what exactly should you do next? Could you possibly learn more of what happened? Could you try to track that woman down? She might have some answers, at least. Or you could resume your journey north, which is another problem. If there's a reasonable chance of danger, you would do well to be ready for that.

[] There's a lot to take in. What next?

---

Checks word count
Dies

 

[GonnaSneeze]

[X] Look for Idunna.

Few votes make tired quest writer a sad tired quest writer

---

You can't get your thoughts off of that suspicious woman. If she's in this town, you ought to seek her out and get some answers. Once again you share your intentions with Ancillas, and he supports the idea. He seems to want to find her, as well.

So, to start your search. You have zero clues, absolutely no idea where she could be, what she could be doing or if she's even still in this city - she is apparently traveling in a hurry, to have reached this town before you.

In that case, you need to just start asking around. It could take some time before you find anything, assuming you find anything at all, but there's not much else to do. If nothing else, anyone who has seen her should remember. Her unusual appearance is helpful, there.

Time to get to work. You start with approaching some of the patrons around the inn's main room...

--

Some time later, you've spoken to everyone at the inn that was willing to answer you. A few recall seeing her, sure, but only as much as the bartender did, which is to say, they only know that she walked inside some time ago.

You moved on to areas around the inn with Ancillas in tow. Some loiterers in the vicinity, a simple stall just down the road - nothing. At the small shop up the road, though...

--

You stand before the relatively tiny proprietor of this shop. A building full of various flora of all kinds, thick with mixed scents of medicine, the wilderness, and...er, perfume. The former two typical of a business like this, selling implements to make drink, medicine and even elixirs. The latter, eh, apparently the woman in charge here likes her perfume. And fairly strong perfume it is...

You share with her that you're looking for a woman, and describe her as you have to everyone else.

"Yeah, sounds familiar, I'd say I seen her. Did business with her, in fact."

"Really?"

"Ah-huh. Why's it you want to know, miss?" the woman running the shop looks you up and down, worried, "If she's a criminal, I tell you I had no way of knowin', and-"

"No, it's nothing like that," hopefully, you think to yourself, "I'm just looking for her. If you know where she could have gone, I'd be grateful if you told me."

"Well, sorry to say I only saw her headin' that way when she walked out," she points out the door, further up the road, the same way you were going when you arrived here, "Couldn't tell you much more. She hardly said a word, awkward one she was. Named some herbs, a few roots, even bought some special brew I had here - cost a good penny, hehe, she had deep pockets," she drawls with a grin.

Your serious stare snaps her out of her post-profit delight.

"Eh, well...I tried makin' a bit of conversation with her..." she starts. You don't doubt her, she seems talkative. "But I hardly got two words out of her. 'What you gonna be needing these for?' Nothing. 'You don't seem from around here. Travelin'?' 'North', and that was it! Tell you, there's a point where it goes past just being a woman-of-few-words and starts just being rude, you know?"

"Hm. I see." You nod along as she raves about her encounter with the woman that must have been Idunna.

So, you've now found someone who hasn't just seen her, but spoke to her, however brief it was. And now, your only clues are that she apparently bought some herbs, roots, a "special brew", and that the only other thing she said was "north". How wonderfully vague.

"You listenin' anymore, girly? Hello?"

"Ah, uh, thank you for your time, ma'am." You quickly thank the shop's owner and hurry out with Ancillas, her ranting fading out of your ears as you walk away.

Ugh. So, in summary...your only clue is now "north". Fantastic. Well, you can guess that means she was going to continue heading north. Again, the same direction you intended to go. You could check around the gate and see if she's already gone.

--

You make your way downtown, navigating the unfamiliar streets until you've reached the north end of the city. You check with the sentries posted at the gate leading to the northern road, and this time you find some answers much more quickly.

"Hm? Ah. Mhm. Someone that looked like that was hanging about some time ago."

"'Hanging about'? What do you mean?"

He shrugs. "Saw her standing around a while back. She left, then came walking back later, loitered about, wandered off...you get it."

"Wait...so has she left the city?" you inquire, confused.

"Don't recall seeing her pass out the gate."

You sigh. So then, she's still around...?

"Where'd she last go? Do you know?"

"Mmmhh..." the sentry looks away in thought, "Oh." he suddenly blurts with a dumb look. He points over your shoulder.

You turn to see what he's pointing to. Crossing the plaza leading to the gate, you see the objective of your search. That woman, Idunna, is walking toward the gate, leading a horse behind her.

You stand there with hardly masked surprise. You were not expecting to find her still in the city, honestly.

As she draws nearer, you quickly thank the sentry and move to meet her. You stop in her path and address her - she stops as you bark,

"Excuse me," you stand firm, "Idunna, right?"

"Miss Lethis." She answers firmly, not meeting your eyes, instead staring behind you toward the city gate.

You've found Idunna. Now...

[] You have questions.
-[] (Write-in)

[] Just let her on her way.

 

[GonnaSneeze]

[X] We have questions that need to be answered, but they aren't something we can ask in the open. We'd like to accompany her outside.
-[X] She told us to go to Charnet. What were we supposed to learn here?
-[X] Back then, she knew our name before we introduced ourself. How?

---

"We've a few questions we'd like to ask, but I'd rather not ask them here." you inch aside, as to offer her to continue her walk, "So we'd like to accompany you outside, if you don't mind?" You finish, your tone less like asking permission and more like demanding.

Idunna responds with a miniscule nod and heads forward. You follow her, Ancillas still following you, and head leisurely out the city gates.

You walk silently for some time, before your patience runs thin and you stop her once again.

"This is far enough," you say, lightly planting your hand on her shoulder. She looks over said shoulder at you with a serious gaze.

"I've questions," you repeat your earlier sentiment and go on, "You told us to come to Charnet. What exactly were we supposed to learn here?" You squint hard, staring suspiciously at her.

"What," she says harshly, "Do you mean to tell me, you haven't learned a thing?"

"Don't answer my question with a question." You stare critically at the hard-faced woman.

"Don't presume your questioning entitles you to an answer," she stares critically at you.

"Do you mean to provoke me?" You glare in response to her rudeness.

"I should be asking that. Aren't you being awfully rude?" She scowls in response.

"You-"

"Miss Lethis..."

You stop and turn to the source of the concerned voice, Ancillas. He looks up between the two of you with worry.

You heave a deep sigh as you face Idunna again.

"Should I assume you don't intend to answer me?"

She slowly shakes her head, "I've hardly any reason to trust you, after all."

"Wh- I've even less reason to trust you." your temper lightly flares back up.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes! In fact-" you remember your first meeting with her, and jab your finger out to point at her, "You knew my name before I offered it. Care to explain how that is?"

"Hah, I bet you'd like to know," she spits back in defiance.

You clench your fist.

"Um..." Ancillas steps forward, "You seemed to know a lot, before, you know, with how you knew Lethis...so, um...you know me too, right?"

"Yes," Idunna answers softly, "I do...um, quite well, actually."

"But..." he pauses and swallows nervously, "How? I...don't know you..."

You watch Idunna carefully as Ancillas questions her. The way her temperament changes when she talks to him...you don't like it.

She looks down with light concern, "Oh, it's probably not so bad as you think. It's just, well...I know everyone, more or less..." she trails off, almost sounding...nervous? And- wait. Huh?

"What do you mean you know 'everyone'?" You cut back in.

"Well," she stiffens back up, "I suppose to satisfy your nosy guardian, I'll specify that I only know everyone that I've seen before."

"Do you think this is a joke?" You spit harshly. She dances around every question, then when you think she's going to tell you something, it's just nonsense meant to waste your time even more. You've had just enough-

"A joke? Please, I know you aren't one for jokes. Especially when someone you so loathe is near," Idunna rolls her eyes, "But as I've said-"

"Don't presume to know me so well, you-" you start to step forward when she loudly interrupts you.

"Presume? Did I not say that I know everyone? You'd do well to know, Miss Lethis," she prods your shoulder, "that I know you better than you know yourself."

Hahhhh?

"That is enough of your-" you raise your arm to grab her when Ancillas steps in front of you again.

"Wait, please, what do you mean?" He blurts to the woman, "You have to understand, that just sounds so strange...what do you mean by that?" he stares sincerely at her.

She looks down earnestly, "It may sound strange, yet it's true..." she brushes some of her hair aside as she stares down, "It's true...but I don't know if I can explain...um..." Idunna shuffles quietly.

"I hope for your sake you aren't trying to trick us." You grab her attention again.

"You may take me for a fool," she firms up once more, staring cautiously at you, "But I know better than to tell lies to people like you."

You resist the strong urge to rub your forehead and temples. Okay. She's still speaking nonsense, and she's said something strange. Now what?

[] You should ask further.
-[] But what to ask? She seems set on dodging all of your questions.

[] Leave it, and leave her, you've had enough of this.

 

[GonnaSneeze]

[x] Let Ancillas do the questioning. She responds better to him anyway.

---

For whatever irritating reason, Idunna doesn't respond well to you. It may be better to let Ancillas try to talk to her. As the silence grows uncomfortable, Ancillas looks to you with concern. You nod to him, and look sideways at Idunna.

"S..o...you're telling the truth?" Ancillas probes curiously, looking back to Idunna.

"I am, really...!" She nods a few times, "I wouldn't lie to you, I-I really wouldn't..."

"O-okay, I understand," Ancillas nods himself, "But...um..." he pauses, searching for what exactly to say. An interrogator, he is not...but you refrain from jumping back in.

"Uh, what about...um...you said to miss Lethis...that you knew her really well..."

Idunna nods once more. "Uh-huh...better than she does..."

"What...do you mean? What is it you know about her?"

"Um...everything."

Silence.

"U...mmmm..." Ancillas looks at her uncertainly.

"It's true...but...I'm unsure if I can explain...it's just...uh..."

Idunna stammers, then trails off; silence falls again. After a moment, Ancillas turns back to you with a look that says he's got no clue what to say. An interrogator...he is not.

[] Questioning?

[] That's enough out of her, leave her be.

 

[GonnaSneeze]

[X] Questioning?
-[X] Prompt him to keep going. Why she can't explain may help

---

You would prefer if Ancillas would keep talking to her.

"How suspicious," you start, looking down to Ancillas, "I wonder if she'd share why she can't explain?"

His eyes light in understanding. He turns back to Idunna.

"Um...could you maybe tell us why you can't explain...?"

Idunna doesn't move, though her eyes shift to stare at you. For a while she shows no reaction, just quietly looking at you...

She turns her attention back to Ancillas.

"I'm, well...I'm not sure if I'm allowed to." She says slowly.

"Huh...?"

"By the way..." Idunna starts quietly, "Um...er, that is, when you next see your companion, can you tell her she can ask me herself?"

"I...um..." Ancillas trails off and looks uncomfortably at you.

This woman...

[] Oh, you'll ask her, alright

[] Just let Ancillas talk to her

[] Leave

 

[GonnaSneeze]

[X] Oh, you'll ask her, alright

---

You step forward and snatch the collar of Idunna's cloak, yanking her forward slightly with little resistance. Ancillas' nervous protest goes unheard, for now.

"You're testing my patience, woman," you glare harshly down at her, "Explain yourself, now."

"You'll have to be more specific, I'm afraid," she jeers, glaring up at you.

"Explain how you know us. Are you some kind of spy? A stalker? A thief?" you yank her up higher, "Are you a threat?"

Idunna pulls herself back, but doesn't escape your grip; she seems quite weak. "Just who do you think you are, girl? Why don't you keep your nosy, foul-tempered self out of my business!"

"You've made your business my concern!" You shout back at her, "If you're a danger to Ancillas I can hardly ignore it! Explain yourself or I'm liable to bring you to-"

"Watch yourself!" She shouts over you, "I would be careful - you and the boy are going to get hurt!"

"What!?" There it is, you think. She's threatened you. You knew she couldn't be trusted - you grab at her collar with both hands now, practically lifting her off the ground, "To threaten not just me, but Ancillas, too! I hope you're prepared-"

A surprised cry draws your attention immediately away from Idunna. Ancillas, from behind you. You spin around to see what's going on.

You see Ancillas, shock on his face as he dives toward you. And not far away - you see a beast charging from the sparse wilderness at the right side of the road.

No time. You release your grip on Idunna entirely, pretty much dropping her on the ground, and rush to protect the prince. It jumps for him - you throw yourself against it, tackling it away and sending both of you to the ground.

You try to recover, but it's ended up on top of you. It's a wolf, you realize as you fend off its bite with your gauntlet. And it's fairly large, as its weight is making it tough to throw off. With all your strength you kick at its stomach and try to fling it off of you - and you succeed. It tumbles off of you; both you and the beast scramble to your feet.

You dash back and position yourself between Ancillas and the wolf. It remains where it is, ready to launch itself forward again, growling all the while.

It's huge. You've never seen a wolf this size; if it were much bigger you might mistake it for a bear. It's foul. This wolf, it reeks of some kind of ghastly odor. It's...feral. You don't think you've seen an animal this wild before. What is a creature this dangerous doing just outside the city walls?

"Miss Lethis! Are you o-"

"Stay behind me!"

You throw the scabbard off of your longsword and heft it to grip, steeling yourself to fight off the monstrous animal and keep the prince safe.

--

Lost 1HP to surprise attack

Spoiler: The fight

Allies
Lethis // 29HP // 51MP
Ancillas // 16HP // 583MP

Enemies
Wolf? // 46HP // ???

Other
Idunna // 20HP // 157MP

--

[] Attack
(Regular strike using equipped weapon. Normally you'd have to pick a target, but there's only one here.)

[] Magical ability
(Choose a magic ability to use. Again, if it's targeted, you'd have to pick a target.)

[] Guard
(Take damage in place of all allies, increase own protection slightly.)

[] Flee
(Try to get away, not likely to work on something that can outrun you, or if you're surrounded)

(Characters other than Lethis act at their own discretion.)
(I'm really not sure if this combat system will stick around in its current form, but we'll see.)

 

[GonnaSneeze]

[X] Magical ability
-[X] Spark Edge
-[X] Phantom Edge

[X] Attack

---

You'll have to move first. You won't let this beast get the better of you, and you won't let it harm it prince! You'll end this decisively, with all of your might!

You adjust your longsword in preparation to swing, and in the same motion, summon the magic power within you to strengthen it. A surge of energy crackles through the blade, enhanced by the power of lightning. A secondary image trails after it, the phantom edge following after your movements.

One step forward, then a long lunge! You leap and bring your sword down toward the snarling wolf!

But your swing meets only air! The wolf retreated back at your offensive, avoiding your strike!

It tenses up and bares its teeth once more - you pull your sword back just as it leaps at you.

"Miss Lethis!"

You don't manage to get out of the way. It snaps it jaws toward your face, though you stop it. Its claws dig in to your torso as you struggle against it - its fangs instead find your arm. It bites just below your gauntlet, sinking through your gambeson and clamping tightly. Your mail protects you from injury too serious, but this wolf's fangs, and its claws, are much too vicious for any regular wolf; you don't completely avoid injury. The pain surges through you, but this is nothing! If it's to protect the prince, then even your life...!

With more strength than you knew you had, you manage to separate yourself from the wolf, throwing it off once again. It regains its posture shortly, prowling just out of your reach and waiting to strike again.

You can feel something behind you. You daren't turn to check on it, but you can sense it - a large amount of magic essence being gathered. It draws through the surrounding air, concentrating to a spot not far behind you. Could Ancillas be preparing to use magic? To need so much, and to take so long...it must be powerful.

Unfortunately you can't check on Idunna, but hopefully she's run away or something...

You completely refocus your attention on the pacing beast in front of you. It stares you down with a feral gaze, waiting-

Something flies past you and straight at the wolf! A glass container shatters against its face. Some kind of liquid spills out of it, splashing onto the wolf, and...

It howls in pain as the substance starts to melt through its skin! Its flesh burns and steams as it shakes its head about.

You chance a look behind you and see Idunna, arm still extended from the throw.

"What do you think you're doing, woman?" you call with a glare.

"Setting an example, girl. You're supposed to hit the beast!" She reaches into her cloak and calls back, "Eyes forward, brat, it's not dead!"

As angry is this woman is making you, you disregard it and face forward once more. The wolf is back to its regular posture, snarling and all, but now missing a significant patch of fur - and skin - around the right side of its face. There's still a light amount of steam rising...how morbid.

You stand before the wolf, longsword at the ready.

--

Used 21MP, activated Spark Edge (2 attacks left) and Phantom Edge (1 attack left).
Missed attack against the wolf!
Lost 6HP to the wolf's attack.

Ancillas is charging magic, used 25MP

Idunna hits the wolf with a vial of a strange substance for 4 damage

Spoiler: The fight

Allies
Lethis // 23HP // 30MP
Ancillas // 16HP // 558MP
Idunna // 20HP // 157MP

Enemies
Wolf // 42HP // ???

--

[] Attack

[] Magical ability

[] Guard

[] Flee

---

Man, the only way you could have been less lucky is to get crit by the wolf. What a great start to your first fight.

 

[GonnaSneeze]

[X] Attack

---

Once more you step up to attack! You will end this beast!

Your blade surges forward, spurred by the power of lightning! You swing savagely, cleaving into the wolf's side as it attempts to move back! The phantom image follows closely behind, repeating your strike. The wolf is left with a vicious cut along its body, blood...oozing slowly. Its blood is unnaturally dark, too. You aren't exactly sure what's wrong with the beast, but clearly it's unhealthy. You'll have to end its misery!

You shuffle toward it gradually as it shrinks back, growling more intensely by the moment. As you near it, suddenly...

It howls wildly and charges you! You prepare to intercept it, b- it's running faster than before!

The wolf tears past you, knocking you aside, forcing you to pause to keep your footing. You spin and charge after it immediately, but it's not soon enough!

Ancillas struggles to move out of the way as the wolf jumps for him again. He dives aside, avoiding the brunt of the wolf's pounce - but its claws rake across his shoulder as it passes. The prince falls aside with a yelp, crashing down and clutching his shoulder.

Unforgivable! You rush forth with weapon raised high, ready to erase the monster's foul existence before it can turn back around and harm the prince again -

Another object hits the wolf in the side. This time, it causes a moderate explosion! It doesn't harm either you or Ancillas, but if it hit the beast directly, it must have been hurt!

Once the lingering smog clears, you see the wolf some ways away, apparently launched there by the blast. It looks in terrible shape - the burned face, lacerated side, and now the singed and mauled flesh at its other side from that explosion. It shouldn't be standing - and sure enough, it looks ready to die any moment.

Just as you think the time as finally come to end its life, it turns and starts to flee! It unsteadily runs back toward the woods it emerged from. Despite all its injury, it's still frighteningly fast!

--

Hit wolf for 18 (Attack) and 17 (Phantom Edge).

Ancillas lost 6HP to the wolf's attack.
Ancillas' charge was interrupted.
Ancillas flinched in pain, taking no action.

Idunna hits the wolf with an explosive item for 3 damage.

The wolf flees!

Spoiler: The fight results

Allies
Lethis // 23HP // 30MP
Ancillas // 10HP // 558MP
Idunna // 20HP // 157MP

Enemies

Wolf // 4HP // ??? (Fled)

--

You'd love to chase and finish that wolf, but on top of your uncertainty you'd be able to catch it, you've got more pressing matters!

You rush to the prince's side as he finally starts to sit up.

"Ancillas!" you're already searching for your container of salves and bandages when he holds his free hand out to halt you.

"I- can heal it, it's...fine," he smiles, quivering a bit, "You're hurt too, right? H-here..."

Before you can interrupt, Ancillas cups his hands before himself. They gradually glow, before a light shines forth, magical energy covering the area. The pain in your arm and torso slowly dims, and you can see the cuts through Ancillas' shoulder close up. Though his coat is still shredded, and stained in blood...

"Ancillas-" you hesitate, the regret of what happened finally catching up to you, "Please, forgive my negligence, I-"

"It's fine, miss Lethis, there's nothing to forg-"

"No, it's unacceptable that I would let this happen to you," you assert, casting your eyes down, "I'm ashamed to call myself your protector."

"It's fine! It really is, please, don't put yourself down. You don't have to worry about me so much..." he looks down, "You really don't..."

You're about to answer when another voice reminds you of your company.

"Ah."

You turn to Idunna at her odd exclamation.

"Ah?" You mimic, wondering what exactly she's doing this time.

She looks around lazily, not even acknowledging you.

"My horse has run off..." she murmurs emotionlessly.

With a light sigh, she starts to shuffle toward the wilderness on the left, thick with trees.

"Wha-" you blurt, watching her meander away, as if totally oblivious to the mortal peril the three of you just faced.

She suddenly stops, looking over her shoulder at you.

"If you plan to travel to Klause...you ought to be prepared."

Then she resumes her walk toward the trees.

"Hah?" you call after her, but she doesn't pause, continuing to head for the woods. Before long she's out of sight, her image hidden behind the trees.

...You really hate that woman.

You turn back to Ancillas, only to see him looking worriedly in the direction Idunna went.

"Isn't it dangerous...? Will she be okay?"

"Who knows..." you sigh.

She's a mystery. And she's clearly dangerous. She did help fight the wolf, but that was as much in her own defense as yours. She clearly knows too much about the two of you; that's your main worry. There's just no guarantee she's not a danger to you or Ancillas. Could she have had to do with the murder, or at least with what happened to Ancillas?

On one hand you'd prefer not to associate with her, and on the other, you seriously want answers out of her.

"That wolf was scary..." Ancillas nervously stares into the woods.

Still, you aren't really sure following her is necessary. Something tells you you won't avoid another encounter with her, anyways.

Spoiler: Status

Allies
Lethis // 30HP // 30MP
Ancillas // 16HP // 488

[] You should hurry back to the safety of town.

[] You should follow after that woman.