Act II: Ameshin Loyalty

Chapter 12 – Elsmyr

21:37 // Day 46, Montag. Luna 97c.

Eastern Ceae, 21 Days Later...

“Elsmyr is just ahead, why not ride now?”

Our campfire blazed in the darkness. A small pile of sticks, logs and other foraged resources fuelling the flames. Our horses were tied to a nearby signpost on a fork in the road. Atop the post were three signs; two pointing eastward, the other pointing north, reading;

North: Esperanza

East: Elsmyr

East: Ulfaine

“No, we should rest. It is not wise not to approach in the dark,” Kyomi replied, warming her hands above the young flame.

I removed the bedrolls from our horses, laying them down on either side of the fire—swiftly beating the rough, stitched canvas bedroom lined with an abundance of equally rough straw. They were better than nothing, that was for sure, though far from the lap of luxury afforded to us back in Rubia.

“Do you think these reported beast sightings are the same from that day? I can’t imagine they made it this far undetected,” I questioned, waiting until we had both laid down our bedrolls, and given them a right beating, before posing the question.

“I’m not sure, but it is possible... The local militia can usually handle the beasts. We should not be needed... still, it is wise to wait for light—it does not hurt to be cautious.”

“Yeah...”

We were currently a day’s travel from Rubia, camping a fair distance from our target location, Elsmyr, as we waited for the light of the next day. Preparations for the tournament in Nithard’s Colosseum were underway and missions were on hold; that is, all except ours.

Kai had received information from the Elsmyr militia that unknown ‘Beast-like figures’ had been spotted around the village outskirts—our reason for departing during preparations. Usually, this wasn't an issue, it's the 'unknown' part that worried Kai. If the beasts have made it this far from the Capital, they could be anywhere in Ceae by now.

Unfortunately, we are limited in what we could do.

The guild had been unaware, due to the announcement arriving by messenger four days after the fact, but the King’s Burgh had made a public announcement that they would be investigating The Fluctuation—which they simply labelled as the incident—telling the guilds to drop all investigations and place their resources into rebuilding/exterminating any rogue monsters from that day.

Between the tournament and the public announcement, resources were spread thin. So, as much as he wanted to, Kai couldn’t send an entire party in response to reported sightings without confirmation that these sightings were beyond the abilities of the local militia.

I can’t imagine the King’s Guard is happy letting us depart over rumours—having taken temporary control over the acceptance of guild missions/requests--but they couldn’t stop us taking on the job on the off chance that the beasts had made it as far as Elsmyr.

Still, I do wonder why the King's Burgh didn't just send their parties to investigate—perhaps they view these kinds of requests beneath them...

Reasons non-withstanding, our acceptance of the mission was tentatively approved.

An investigation under the guise of ‘extermination’ for both parties involved, so to speak.

パチパチ

The fire flickered, losing its roar as time went on—the crackling of flames slowly replaced by the distant sound of rustling. It was Kyomi; she was currently rooting through one of her saddlebags, presumably searching for food (since that was all she had packed in there).

“Should you be eating before you sleep?” I cautiously asked Kyomi; currently eating her lightly-packed sandwiches. Though I quickly remembered that she cared little for these mundane issues, “I’ve heard rumour that can make you fat.”

“Yes... I have heard that as well, though the opposite is true where I come from... at least, the opposite belief.”

Kyomi took a dainty bite of her carefully prepared meal. It was shocking how much her cooking reflected herself. All she had packed were various sandwiches but they were all prepared in an exact fashion.

They were all the same, rectangular shape; the crusts were all removed and none of the bread's contents hung off the side. She must spend more time preparing these quick snacks than she did eating them, even with her speed or lack thereof... Sara bungs food out faster than I can eat it.

sigh

Just thinking about food is making me hungry—I’m starting to regret eating the sandwiches Sara prepared for me now.

“Is that why you’re eating now?” I asked, stretching my legs beyond the edges of the bedroll, proving an easy task since it was too small for me in the first place.

“No, I’m just hungry,” she replied, quietly chewing her food as she spoke.

A simple, “Huh,” was my only response. I figured she would have better reasoning for her late meal.

I’ve got to say, after speaking to her over the past few weeks, my previous image of her has begun to crumble. I think ‘sporadic’ would be an apt word to describe her with.

A slight shiver coursed through my being in response to the nipping wind—the fire responding similarly—as I continued to watch the dimly lit Kyomi eat. Though, this wasn't by choice, rather because she was all that was visible, save for the thin veil of snow coating the grass. We were lucky that the snowfall had been limited or we would have been in for some rough nights on our trip there and back.

grrrrrowl

As much as I would like to say that sound came from a monster in the night, it was just my stomach.

“Are you alright?” Kyomi asked, unaware that her late-night feasting was having the opposite effect on myself.

“Watching you eat is making me hungry.”

“You don’t have to watch...”

“It’s hard not to, you’re the only thing I can see.”

Not wanting to sit and do nothing while she ate, I started preparing the bedroll to sleep on. First of all, I’ll say it again, these bedrolls are the furthest from luxury you could possibly get. They were split up into two sections; one section filled with rough straw, and the other one empty, like a cocoon, wherein you slept.

Certainly, I had to thank Kai for providing us with guild equipment for this request; the horses included, along with their equipment such as the saddlebags and a pair of stakes for tying them up (though we ended up using a nearby signpost anyway), but it still didn't appease my discomfort.

“Are you going to sleep already?” Kyomi asked, taking the last bite of her seemingly never-ending supply of sandwiches.

“Yeah, we might as well wake up early—it’s not like there's anything better to do.”

“...I suppose,” she dubiously replied as she made her way past the campfire, and myself, to reach her horse’s saddlebag five-or-so metres behind me.

It was somewhat difficult to make out in the dark but Kyomi was wearing her usual adventuring attire. A light pink dress shirt fitted to her figure. Grey hosen. Knee-length, dark brown boots—clothing fairly standard for her outside of the guild.

Though, somewhat more interesting than her clothing, Kyomi always wore a necklace decorated by a sizeable pendant: due to our numerous conversations I had seen the pendant up close on occasion. It looked to be made of an expensive silver-like metal, featuring what looked to be a clan’s insignia carved atop the main casing—much like the D’jar coat of arms on my belt, featuring an ox looming over a tone tower—the insignia depicts a vast ocean, three droplets of rain, and a shield in the centre, all contained inside of a circular border, western in design.

And, on the back of the pendant, a name... Yōko.

I was unaware of Kyomi’s relation to the name's bearer, though the pendant was likely in memoriam to someone of note. Perhaps a deceased relative or close friend? The answer to that question was something I didn't want to bring up if I could help it.

At any rate, Kyomi wouldn’t proudly wear the item were there not significant reasoning for it. I believe she would tell if, or when, she wanted to—I couldn’t expect her to fully open up to me within such little time.

Having accrued her target item amongst her other possessions—a cloak not dissimilar to mine, just in better condition—she once again made her way back to the uncomfortable mound where she also began preparations to rest.

“Do we need to snuff the fire?” now wrapped up inside of the rough bedroll, I asked the still-upright Kyomi.

Kyomi looked towards the slowly dimming flame before responding with a straightforward, “Yes. Allow me.”

Acting as she spoke, placing her cloak to one side, Kyomi surrounded the campfire with a dense veil of water—removing the oxygen from the area—thus snuffing the flames.

“Well, that’s handy. Remind me to call you if I accidentally set fire to the kitchen.”

“It would be best not to set fire to it in the... first place.”

“I’m joking,” are the words that came out of my mouth, though they betrayed my better sense of judgement. I wasn’t to be trusted in any kitchen alone; I had made that much clear when I attempted to prepare breakfast for Sara during Enryn’s departure.

With the fire gone, we were truly exposed to the elements; all I could see were some Fyr’s aglow above my head, dancing in the stars, and the rustling of clothes from across the way—a noise I attempted to ignore lest my imagination run wild in the dark.

“Hey, Kyomi? You’ve gotten better at talking now: you’re not pausing half as much as you used to.”

“Yes. It’s thanks to you conversing with me.”

Well, no, it’s thanks to you responding to me...

She's aware of the number of men who flirt with her—and women who try to befriend her—only to be ignored or, in the most formal modus, told to bugger off.

“Night, Kyomi.”

“Good night, White.”

sigh

Without realising, I had become quite tired already—even at this early a time. It was probably the tournament; that prerequisite rule that Kai forced upon the thirty-one.

No. The thirty-two; I can’t forget Theo, after all.

Either way, he's indirectly dragged me into this whole mess of a tournament, though I didn't realise how much energy I was spending on the whole ordeal until now, having taken a break from the hassle.

I guess some time in my dreams would do me good, renew me, perhaps...

夢の中

12:35, ???

“.........e you, White.”

“......bye,”

“...yeah. Later, guys.”

I waved goodbye to the perfect pair as they departed from my view, returning to their respective homes after a long three days; something I was lucky to be exempt of.

Rex Beaugard's tailcoat fluttered, much so in an obnoxious and eye-catching manner—some might say obnoxiously so if it wasn't for the person wearing the clothing. It was eye-catching, to say the least; the red velvet tailcoat, a new design from Enviar, was his choice of exterior clothing upon leaving the guild—one he usually took off upon arrival, having only left the coat on due to his swiftly planned exit.

Rex always wore a black waistcoat—above a black dress shirt—not dissimilar to mine, though much more... serious? Either way, it reflected his personality well. It was bold clothing for a bold man.

While Rex usually opted against wearing his tailcoat indoors, the same could be said about the headscarf adorning Isa’s head—though, in her words, she only wears the accessory when her hair isn’t falling properly; whatever that means.

I should get going myself after I finish this drink.

Well, unfortunately, my attempt to finish my drink before leaving was met with a... lack of drink.

27 seconds later.

“Another white ladrar please, Becca.”

“Coming right up!” she responded in her usual tone, “So, you were correct, huh!? Was it a lucky guess? There being a tournament, I mean.”

“That’s right, just a lucky guess,” I swiftly replied

I was planning to leave before I wound up stuck at this bar for half an hour. Rebecca could hold a conversation about literally anything for hours on end—almost as if her job was barraging customer with words and not drinks.

27 minutes later.

I couldn’t escape.

Gods... middle-aged women with nothing better to do should not be underestimated; they can waffle on about anything and give you no opportunity to leave.

Speaking of leaving, that’s exactly what I’m going to do right now. ‘I’m going home,’ I repeated to myself, as I paced down the central aisle from my starting position at the bar: my departure greeted by an all too familiar voice.

“Are you leaving already, White? And I finally got a moment to myself,” resounded Kai’s voice, a voice owned by the man currently seated at my table of choice during his speech. “Come, there is something I should tell you before your exit.”

I suppose now would be the time to audibly sigh, but I felt as if I had used up my daily limit of them—especially having met Arc not hours before. Still, I couldn’t just leave after he had publicly called me over. I say it with light disdain but he is my ‘boss’ at the end of the day.

I wasn’t annoyed, nor particularly inconvenienced. The day was young, I was just feeling tired (not to mention strangely dehydrated).

“Finally, a piece of quiet,” sighed an enervated Kai Cassius, now seated in my previous spot. He patted the bench to his right, ushering me to sit down as well, “Sorry if I interrupted your leaving. I’ve just heard from Enryn... you must be tired, keeping Sara together during this; Enryn means a lot to her. She must be fraught with worry... not to mention your little jaunt with Kyomi.”

I slinked back onto the bench beside him, not reacting to his prose or jaunt in any particular fashion. In actuality, I was somewhat intrigued by what he had to say; I was just good at hiding such emotions.

“Isa and Rex left then?”

“Yeah, about half an hour passed.”

“Shame... though I’ve contacted them before, I just wanted to congratulate them personally, but I understand they are tired... You’ll have to do, then,” Kai sighed.

I placed both hands on the table, preparing to stand, only to be stopped in my tracks by a hand on my shoulder, gently ushering me down.

“Sorry. There is something I want you to know before you depart; that’s why I asked Arcrel to bring you to me.”

I took my seat once more before responding to the drinking Kai, chugging water from a tankard. Honestly speaking, we needed some new drinking containers; I could never tell if someone was getting pissed or having a glass of water.

“Arc said he was sent to check up on me, I just assumed you were making sure I was still home, and not out looking for Enryn,” I replied: though, as I said the words, I realised that I had somewhat thrown Arc into the deep end, but that was his problem. It’s not my fault that he’s mostly inept.

“I see... he did leave before I finished. I just assumed he had heard me,” he was part Faele after all so that’s a fair assumption. “He bolted off once I told him about you, but you seem to have become fast friends, and you’re here, so I suppose it worked out.”

“I was heading over anyway since Enryn asked me to make a delivery—no doubt to get me away—so here I am... Arc’s not my friend, we’re nothing alike.”

“You’d be surprised... appearances included; you two have a lot in common,” Kai mused, finishing his sentence by reaching for his tankard, only to find it empty, somewhat dampening his mood as it had done mine half an hour earlier.

I almost subconsciously reached for my non-existent drink, stopping myself before following through with the action; the tankard I was reaching for most likely behind the bar, being thoroughly cleaned as we spoke.

“...anyway, what is it, Kai? How come you’re here talking to me after, in Rex’s words, ‘Being passed around like a drunken damsel’?”

“Hah, Rex has always had such a way with words, no doubt the reason that Isa dotes on him as she does,” Kai laughed in response.

“Yeah... right.”

Ignoring the part where Isa slapped him for the quip, there was likely some truth in those words. Rex certainly cared little for how his words were received, he simply spoke his mind and that was that. He didn’t mince his words, an attribute that not many possess. However, when he found himself involved in a conversation about something technical or complex, he quickly found himself in over his head.

He’s a methodical person, not a smart one.

Placing his hands back on the table as if to interrupt my train of thought, Kai continued his prose, “Anyhow, that’s enough joking around—let me tell you something that might pique your interest,” Kai continued with a serious tone, telling me directly that I was involved in this bit of trivia.

“Something too interesting for Arc to relay?”

“...you know how he is. Arcrel is a strong lad but he couldn't tie his own laces properly if you left him to it," Kai responded humorously, but I could tell that he was being completely honest. "It's about the thirty-second entrant to the tournament, would you like to know his name?"

“His name...?

“Theo Calsia, the not-so-little, little brother to Elise......”

次の日には

“Home......”

Kraaaa, kraa

...what is that, ugh... horrible sound?

My ears reacted to the dreadful mixture of caws and kraas even before my other senses had awoken. Yet, waking up to this noise felt somewhat nostalgic. The majority of the noise came from a flock of white Envirian corvī; a bird I recognised since they were native to, as the name suggested, Enviar.

“Ugh... my back feels so stiff...”

Oh, right. We set up camp some ways from Elsmyr—I got so caught up in that dream that I completely forgot.

Theo Calsia...

I’m still unsure whether my decision to benefact his joining the guild was the correct one. He’s nice enough, I suppose, just like Elise which made sense; they were related after all.

Well, what’s done is done and, for better or for worse, it looks like I’m in league with the Calsians—at least for this tournament business.

The remaining firewood was coated with a thin veil of pure white snow which spread across the surrounding grass, my bedroll and even the saddles of the horses; I could have missed my black waistcoat, half-way submerged in the snow, if it wasn’t, well, black.

I attempted to, as gently as I could, shake the snow from my black waistcoat. These clothes were still the only ones I had, damaging them would mean a death sentence from Enryn. So, slipping the article of clothing back on underneath my cloak, I was ready to go.

Crustallum rose on the Southern horizon, telling all of nature’s creations to begin their day—a sight I rarely saw due to my window facing north and the Merchant’s Districts walls blocking the south.

Having said that, some didn't receive that message.

“Kyomi... you up?”

“...”

Silence... is what I would like to say but the numerous birds flying overhead did more than their fair share of work. They hadn’t shut up for more than a minute's silence. Honestly, I’m impressed Kyomi could sleep through this racket.

“Should I wake her up?”

No, I’m not sure how she would react, it’s best to leave her.

“But... we really should be going...”

Just go back to sleep, you’re still tired are you not?

"Not really... I feel pretty refreshed. I guess a change of scenery was all I needed."

Oh, right. Yeah. I suppose you are... but look, look underneath the snow—beside her bedroll—can you see it?

Beside her bedroll was... her sword, Amekabi? She was sleeping with her sword?

Maybe I will wait... she might just chop my hand off if I get too close.

Just wake her up, you dithering boy.

“Fine, fine... I get it.”

And so, after almost convincing myself to leave the sleeping woman alone, I persuaded myself otherwise.

Ever since I met him, my 'other self', that day, even the thoughts in my head were secure no longer. Be that as it may, he only ever acted in my aid—like when I almost fell from that ladder. And so, I ended up following his command.

Approaching the human-shaped bedroll, I was greeted to a strange view—a circular patch where Kyomi’s head should be that was completely snow-free, likely caused by an enchantment.

I continued my approach carefully; eyes locked on Amekabi, bordering the enchantment's sphere of influence and forming an unnatural line where the snow simply couldn't fall. I have little—and by little, I mean zero—experience waking a woman up. Though I sometimes get Sara up... but she doesn't count.

Guess I’ll just kick her then?

“No... best not, that's only ending one way.”

You're hopeless... I can't believe we share the same being...

“...not much I can say to that,” I sighed in momentary disbelief. “Hah.”

As I spoke to myself, I noticed the snow begin to shift on the bedroll, cascading down the sides of the sewn canvas sheets. The scent of galium grew stronger as the snow fell— a common herb entwined into both of our bedrolls, both for its pleasant smell and flea repelling attributes.

A few seconds later, two black eyes protruded from the top-end of bedroll—staring back at me with a questioning gaze.

“Who are you talking to?” Kyomi asked, still completely submerged beneath her covers. All I could see of her was a messy mop of hair and a pair of tired eyes.

“Uhm... myself?”

“...ho, are you a loner? Do you not find that a bit... sad?”

“Straight from the horse’s mouth, huh?”

Kyomi didn’t respond, she simply continued to stare at me, not blinking the entire duration.

“So... are you getting up anytime soon?”

“I... can’t,” she coyly responded, using her eyes to draw my attention towards a lump of snow on her right, between herself and the exhausted campfire.

After staring at the lump for a moment, and then some, I noticed Kyomi’s pink dress shirt hanging out from the side—almost completely submerged beneath the snow, visible only from this side of the mound.

I guess Kyomi forgot to cast an enchantment on her cloth...

“Oh.”

The dots finally connected.

This is probably the part where my face should be turning beet-red; I know for a fact that most other people would. I felt strangely calm; it was nice to know that she trusted me enough to feel comfortable sl—sleep... sleeping... n—nak... never mind, veto that, I have officially lost my cool.

“I’m going to... erm... pick some flowers,” I sheepishly mumbled with barely enough force to reach Kyomi’s ears as I slowly made my way towards a nearby grove, trying to hide the light blush that had since formed on my face.

“Okay, get me some as well,” Kyomi replied, poking fun at my obvious embarrassment. “I like pink flowers...”

I slowly trudged through the white veil of snow, making sure not to look back as I did. The small mass of trees I was aiming for was nearby, a thicket of birch trees as it so happened—the source of my favourite drink.

“I guess I’ll just wait here, then.”

And, so, I did.

One minute turned into five, and five minutes turned into ten. I waited in this small grove as I admired my surroundings. Despite the cold wind, the Luna season was truly a beautiful time of the year. The velvet snow coated the ground, falling haphazardly from the tree branches and the hiemal-loving animals exit their hibernating state. It was something you could only experience for a brief time, hated it while it occurred, but missed it once it was gone.

That said, I was likely biased since I was born on the final day of the season. Perhaps that made the arduous conditions more acceptable—a light at the end of the tunnel if you will.

sigh

“I’m such a sap; getting embarrassed over these things. I guess I’m still a child after all.”

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I was expecting her to be, erm, clothed... myself...

The usually calm voice spoke to me in a slightly flustered manner: something I had yet to experience from him. He always spoke in a deep, monotone voice, (though, it was only due to the pausing in his speech I could tell he was embarrassed.)

“So, even you get embarrassed?”

Of course, I do. We are the same, after all. Did you forget?

At this point, after just a few sentences, we had conversed for longer than ever before—I had never actually responded to his voice, I had only been listening, unsure that he would respond. We, or I, had never actually held a conversation with... myself until now.

This is starting to confuse me.

“No... but, isn’t this weird? Talking to myself, I mean, even Kyomi said so.”

It is normal. The woman was teasing you, you must understand yourself before you may understand others.

“Right...”

There was another you spoke to in your infancy, was there not? You were unaware of my existence back then, but I remember.

“That was different!” I snapped, not realising the intensity of my reply as I spoke, quickly responding with a simple, “Sorry,” in my attempt to brush off my rash behaviour.

...If you say so.

“But still... How am I meant to talk to myself... do you not have a name at least?”

Yes, I am White.

“No, I am White.”

Yes, and so am I.

“Yeah, but...

?

“...I was White first.”

If you are going to get technical, I—your Astral Body—was formed before your physical one, so really, I should hold ownership of the name since I had sentience before you. Therefore, I deem it only fair tha—

“Yeah, yeah. I get it already. I didn’t realise I was this annoying... I’m just looking for a way for us to communicate better.”

Do you have a solution?

“Well, I could name you... You’re kind of like my child, right? You’re living inside of me after all.”

...gross.

“Yeah, sorry, I take that back. But still, do you not want a name for yourself?”

I can only speak with you, there is no need for me to have a name. We share one being. One name that binds us.

“...I've got it!” I exclaimed, a sudden idea jumping into my head as my fist came down onto my open palm.

“I can call yo—”

Hmm, that is not a bad suggestion.

“Ugh... You really can read my thoughts; I was going to surprise you.”

It is no issue. I only chose to read your thoughts at this particular time, though I am pleasantly surprised by your primitive intelligence.

I grumbled in response to his obvious jab; a pile of snow comically falling atop my head as I did so, only adding to my lack of mirth.

“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Sure thing, White.

And so, on this day, my friendship with myself began... as strange as that is to say. Perhaps understanding myself may answer some of the questions biting down on my conscience.

Among those, the new mystery that was my letter home. In the end, I did attempt to send that letter. Well, the keyword being attempt.

I entered Handels&Co—a delivery service/bank in the Merchant’s District—when I realised something that had occurred to me not once beforehand. I had completely forgotten where Carencia was, save for the fact that it’s in Enviar... but that doesn't narrow it down by much.

Curiouser still, I felt as if other gaps in my memory were present... And, now that I think about it, I can't remember crossing the bridge between Enviar and Ceae, I just...

Ugh, my thoughts seem nothing but a volatile use of time as of late... I should get back to camp.

Perhaps this is the reason for those sleepless nights these past few weeks. Perhaps the reason for my tears... but, there was one thing I knew for sure; I couldn’t return home even if I wanted to—that thought would always be at the back of my mind, even if I didn’t want to return.

Are you not worried?

“I am... just, what good would worry do me?”

The heart is not so easily tamed, White.

“...do you think it’s strange that I'm so desensitised?”

Perhaps, though I remember their false regale before our departure. I, myself, would not be inclined to return so soon... though I understand that is not your concern.

“...”

Whatever the cause is, we will find the answers together, White. Knowing you—which I do so well—you probably got some mild amnesia from that nasty throw in the Merchant’s District. You did land on your head after all; certainly, a welcome reminder that our pain is only shared psychologically.

"Do you really think it's amnesia? It seems very... specific. Though, as you said, I'm more worried about the cause of this sudden loss of memory than I am of the actual memory."

I understand, but, unfortunately for us, whatever affects your mental state also affects mine so I can't say for sure. It's wishful thinking if I'm being honest but, as you said, worrying will not solve the issue.

We will solve this riddle with the same poise we have done so before; one piece at a time.

“I see; that sucks,” I glumly replied, kicking my legs out above the snow-free grass—under the protection of the large birch tree I was currently perched under.

I think part of me hoped he might hold the answers to this phenomenon, but alas, he did not.

Even now, when I should be fraught with worry, I found myself eerily care-free. It's calm. Relaxing, even. These were some of the many reasons I liked this season so. The world seemed to stop moving, along with all my worries.

I always felt at peace in the snow...

Should we not be returning to our camp?

“Yeah, just give me a few more minutes, Black.”

6:13

Chapter 12, End