Our Quest - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - The Real One

Spectral atmosphere. Everyone, everything around Ekleipsis is surrounded by it, though it can’t be seen with the naked eye, just like the air we breath. Some life beings are even connected to it, which means they’re connected to the world itself. The art of understanding one’s surroundings and manipulate them at will. That is magic.

“Hey! Aren’t you going to answer me?”

Yuki, and the guy who I’m guessing it’s our hero, managed to lose their persecutors by entering Loregard’s south forest. It seems they got used to each other.

“I don’t remember what should I answer.”

Loregard’s trees are the tallest of all Ekleipsis.

“Back there, when the guards were blown away, were you the one who did it?, can you use magic?”

While it seems to be just a stroll in the park for Yume, somehow the girl is finding it difficult to walk over the trees’ roots, also she’s walking slower than usual. One can only think that Yuki doesn’t get out a lot.

“Yeah, I don’t know why are you so surprised about it, as far as I know every demon can use magic.”

Ekleipsis is populated mostly for humans. Then are the demons and finally the elves. Only the human beings lack a connection to the spectral atmosphere.

“Every demon, huh...”

A memory strikes our heroine’s mind, a memory about a man covered in black, a frightful look. She shakes her head trying to get rid of the remembrance. Yume notices the girl uneasy behavior.

“Let’s take a break little girl, I know you need it.”

Be it for empathy or just mercy, she feels grateful. While silently dedicating a smile to the demon, she sits, leaning against a tree.

“Thank you... it’ll be just... a minute...”

She suddenly falls asleep.

“So, no more questions for the rest of the night.”

Yume also sits and leans against the same tree. He lights a cigarette.

Let’s just leave them taking a peaceful rest. At least now you know a little about how magic works in this world. If you want to read something that might be more interesting let’s see how things are going back on Thorald. The bar’s open, its customers are mostly foreign people so nobody knows about the incident involving our heroes. Except of course for its workers.

“Look, Belle, there’s him again.”

The bartender points towards the bulky man who I’m sure you remember.

“He’s got some nerve to appear around here again.”

“I know, but to be honest I feel sorry for him.”

Hey, that guy was so scared he passed out, even I feel sorry for him.

“Let’s give him another chance.”

A kind smile shines on her face.

“Are you sure? I think we should take him out while we can.”

“Yes, I’m sure, after all he is a customer!”

Nowadays It’s hard to find such gentleness. Speaking of the false joel, that man can’t help but feel frustrated. He was humiliated, his sword of which he was so proud of was torn in half, and of course he hates the fact that his life was saved by a girl, the same girl that he was about to smash. Every time he closes his eyes he can still see the image of the demon who made fun of him.

“Here, sir!, it’s on the house.”

Belle gives same bottle of wine of that day, but seeing it enrages the man.

“What are you doing...”

I don’t think he liked the gesture.

“Don’t worry sir, you’ll always be welcomed to Thorald’s bar!”

When the wrong person listens to such compassionate words they could be easily interpreted as mockery.

“Fuck you bitch! I don’t need your pity!”

He stands up while flipping the table. The waitress falls and so does the bottle. Everyone stares at the man.

“What...”

He starts seeing Yume’s face on all the people around him. The sights are too heavy for him. His head is filled with the demon’s crushing words. The whispers pierce deeply in his ears. The last remnant of sanity in him fades away.

“I’m going to KILL YOU ALL!”

One second, one spark. Two seconds, a flare. Three seconds... the man’s covered by flames. A loud scream of horrendous suffering escapes from his mouth

“You are annoying as hell.”

A man wearing a headband walks towards the screaming, burning guy, with a glass of whiskey in his hand.

“When I heard what you were doing, I got really angry, fake one.”

No one runs away this time, neither one tries to help. The slow dance of the fire has hypnotized everyone.

“To think that there’s people stupid enough to believe your lies... No, I can believe that.”

He drinks all the whiskey and then throws the glass away, gazing upon the blazing fellow’s agony. His eyes, colored as blood, show both anger and delight. Belle snaps out and watches the horrible display. She quickly stands up.

“Please! Someone help him!”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that, woman.”

The fire finally extinguishes and the cremated corpse falls down. Now the whole clientele realizes the situation, and still they can do nothing but observe. The tremendous terror prevents them from moving a muscle. The red-eyed man attempts to leave the place.

“I would help you cleaning this mess, but, in a way, I just did.”

Two incidents, one day after another. Of all the bars in Loregard, Thorald’s must be the unluckiest.

“Besides, I got a prey to catch.”

The payment for the drink is left on a table. The guy walks out. With tears in her eyes, Belle mouths some last words to him.

“Who... who are you?”

Without looking at her, without stopping, he answers her question.

“My name is Joel.”