The ground beneath Shantotto comes alive with arcane energy, a magical circle forming at her command. Her eyes remain closed, yet the verdant essence of elemental power emanates from her being. In her hands, she clutches a grimoire and a staff, symbols of her mastery over the sourcery arts.
As the incantation reaches its crescendo, a wondrous lanner materializes from the heart of the magical circle. Its form is elegant, every feather shimmering with an ethereal glow. The tips of its feathers catch the essence of the wind, radiating a brilliant shade of green—the unmistakable hue of the elemental forces she has harnessed.
The majestic creature, now fully manifested, stands before Shantotto, its presence a testament to her command over the arcane. Adachi, spellbound by the spectacle, watches in awe as the magical display unfolds.
Shantotto, perched confidently on the lanner's back, smirked. "Don't tell anyone, darling, it'll ruin my fearsome sorceress image." She beckoned him, "Up you go, Adachi. We have an audience with the King, and let's just say he's not known for his patience."
As Adachi clambered onto the lanner's back, feeling the wind whip through his hair and the creature's powerful muscles ripple beneath him, he couldn't help but whisper, "This world... it keeps getting stranger by the minute."
The journey to the castle was a whirlwind of emerald feathers and breathtaking vistas. Shantotto, ever the master storyteller, wove tales of meracydian lore between jabs at the King's incompetence. Adachi, enthralled by the vibrant landscape and her captivating voice, almost forgot the weight of their mission.
But the looming shadow of the castle brought him back to reality. Shantotto landed with a flourish, her fiery hair swirling about her like a miniature cyclone. "Remember, Adachi," she whispered, her face suddenly serious, "keep your story straight. You're a lost Hyur Midlander, a wanderer. No one must know of your... otherworldly origins."
Shantotto, leading Adachi through the grand halls of San d'Oria, continued to talk in hushed tones. The towering architecture of the city loomed overhead, a stark contrast to the open landscapes of Konschtat Highlands where Adachi had first appeared in this world.
"Yanas, darling," Shantotto teased, her voice carrying a theatrical lilt, "your name is positively peculiar. It lacks the subtlety needed for our little charade. From now on, you're Adachi no more; you're Yanas. It has a certain ring to it, don't you think?"
Adachi raised an eyebrow but complied with a nod. "Sure, Yanas it is. But what's the deal with the name change?"
Shantotto, always one to relish in intrigue, leaned closer and whispered, "Names carry power, my dear. And in this city, we're weaving a delicate dance of deception. Yanas will help you blend in better. Besides, it sounds more Meracydian , doesn't it?"
As they approached the guards stationed behind the castle's bridge, Shantotto shot Adachi a meaningful look. "Remember, Yanas, mum's the word. Keep those lips sealed tighter than a coffer in a thieves' den. Let me do the talking."
The guards, clad in polished armor and standing at attention, cast a curious gaze upon the duo. Shantotto, undeterred, approached them with an air of regal confidence. "I am here to see Tarut." she declared, her tone brooking no argument.
The guards exchanged glances but eventually stepped aside, granting them passage across the bridge. Shantotto led Yanas through the imposing gates and into the heart of San d'Oria. The bustling streets were filled with people of various races, and Adachi couldn't help but marvel at the vibrant tapestry of this fantasy world.
As they walked, Adachi, still adjusting to the new alias, couldn't resist asking Shantotto about the change in location. "Where are we now? Last time we were in some open area with hills, right?"
Shantotto nodded, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and wisdom. "Very astute, Yanas. You catch on quickly. the ritual took place at Konschtat Highlands, far away from praying eyes. The king wanted to keep our little collaboration under wraps, not just because he's getting help from a sorceress but a tarutaru one, and you know how people can be about my race."
Adachi, grappling and confused at her remark, asked again. "So this place is called?"
Shantotto chuckled, a sound that echoed through the cobbled streets. San d'Oria is ruled by King Tarut, and it's predominantly a city of Hyur, like yourself, with a sprinkle of us adorable tarutarus. It's a place where we can navigate without raising too many eyebrows. Now, let's get to the castle, Yanas. The real show is about to begin."
Shantotto, leading Adachi through the grand halls of San d'Oria, continued to talk in hushed tones. The towering architecture of the city loomed overhead, a stark contrast to the open landscapes of Konschtat Highlands where Adachi had first appeared in this world.
As they approached the guards stationed behind the castle's bridge, Shantotto shot Adachi a meaningful look. "Remember, Yanas, mum's the word. Keep those lips sealed tighter than a coffer in a thieves' den. Let me do the talking."
Shantotto chuckled, and said "Now, let's get to the castle, Yanas. The real show is about to begin."
Shantotto, oblivious to the glares like fireflies flickering in the midday sun, breezed through the castle gates with the air of a queen surveying her domain. Adachi, however, felt the weight of each disdainful look like a physical blow. The Hyurs, with their broad shoulders and sneering mouths, made their distaste painfully clear. Even the occasional tarutaru they passed seemed a mere shadow of their kin, their eyes downcast, their once vibrant skin dull and papery. It was a stark contrast to the lively, boisterous tarus he'd encountered when he was summoned, Shantotto.
Pushing a surge of anger down, Adachi followed Shantotto through the opulent streets, their footsteps echoing on the floors. The sheer opulence clashed grotesquely with the plight of the downtrodden tarus he'd glimpsed. It was a cruel show of the hierarchy at play here, a hierarchy Shantotto seemed to dance along the edge of with reckless abandon.
"Charming, isn't it?" Shantotto chirped, her voice tinkling like bells despite the tension in the air. "Reminds me of my own little workshop, minus the cobwebs and stray goblins, of course."
Adachi snorted, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice. "Yeah, charming. Makes you wonder where all the gold for these gilded halls comes from, doesn't it?"
Shantotto winked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Ah, a budding activist! Don't worry, dear Yanas, the answer's rather predictable. Blood, sweat, and probably a sprinkle of taru tears for good measure."
The flippant response did little to ease Adachi's unease. He clenched his fists, the urge to lash out at the injustice boiling just beneath his skin. These were people, short, but still people, being treated like nothing more than discarded toys.
Suddenly, Shantotto stopped, her playful demeanor gone. She pointed toward a pair of imposing doors guarded by hulking knights in gleaming armor. "Well, well, looks like it's showtime. Remember, Yanas, keep those lips sealed tight. Let me handle the Tarut-wrangling."
She starts chanting out loud.
"Blazing runes like burning veins,
Stone to molten tears that rain.
Gates dissolve, a fiery maw,
Castle trembles, whispers raw.
Il Diga Shiza Broil"
The air crackled with anticipation as Shantotto's incantation wove its way through the castle gates. Her voice, normally a playful lilt, resonated with a raw power that sent shivers down Adachi's spine. The knights, faces contorted in a mix of fear and defiance, braced themselves for the inevitable clash.
But clash there was none. As the final syllable of Shantotto's spell echoed, the world around them seemed to hold its breath. Then, with a sound like a thousand stones shattering, the imposing gates before them shredded. Melting sand, infused with an eerie orange glow, cascaded down, engulfing the knights in an embrace as the gates melt away.
Shantotto, a mischievous glint in her eyes, turned to Adachi, her voice now a low chuckle. "See, Yanas? A little showmanship goes a long way. Now, shall we dance with the king in his own chambers?"
She said as she lead the way towards the throne hall.
Taking a deep breath, Adachi squared his shoulders. He might not understand Shantotto's game, but one thing was clear – he is part of it now, even if it meant playing this charade. With a grim resolve, he followed Shantotto through the doors, stepping into the heart of the lion's den.
Shantotto, staff held tall, and chin held higher, swept into the throne room with Adachi flanking her. The opulent chamber, ablaze with torchlight and shimmering with gilded tapestries, seemed to shrink around her imposing presence. Whispers, like ripples in a pond, emanated from the knots of advisors huddled along the walls. Their silk robes, in hues of royal purple and emerald, rustled with nervous energy.
Shantotto: (voice booming, silencing the whispers) "Is this the grand court of Traut I've arrived in, or a bazaar full of gossiping hens? I, Shantotto the Great, have requested an audience with your commander, and I expect him to grace me with his presence on the double!"
Before she could finish her tirade, a figure emerged from the shadows behind the throne. Tall and regal, with a mane of silver blonde hair flowing down his back, King Traut strode into the room. His piercing yellow honey eyes, glinting with tiredness, met Shantotto's fiery gaze.
A hush fell over the room as the king, with a sardonic smile, bowed slightly. "My apologies, Grand sorceress Belle Shantotto, for keeping you waiting. Your... exuberant announcement did precede you." He gestured towards a plush armchair, its ruby velvet contrasting with the stark lines of his black attire. "Please, do take a seat, and indulge me in my request for your... shall we say, dramatic... arrival."
"So," she drawled, the word dripping with disdain, "the shackles of boredom finally chafe your royal behind, Traut? Couldn't contain your own fear another fortnight, could you?"
The king's face twitched, the amusement from their earlier encounter replaced by a steely glint in his eyes. "Fear, sorceress? I merely recognize the consequences of your... shall we say, 'creative' sealing methods. Or shall i say poor summoning spell", as he turned his gaze towards Adachi.
Shantotto snorted. "Creative? But of course, your majesty wouldn't know genius if it bit you on the royal backside, would you?"
"Genius that, as the tremors clearly indicate, is now beginning to unravel," Traut countered, his voice low and dangerous. "The Gusgen mines hum with unnatural energies, whispers of the Fenrir's fury echoing through the earth. Your 'symphony,' it seems, is about to conduct a rather unpleasant finale."
A smirk flickered across Shantotto's face. "And you expect me to waltz in and fix your little tremor problem? After twenty-one years of enjoying the fruits of my labour, the least you could do is offer a decent dessert, not this stale crumb of blame."
The king looked at her, he had no other option, even though he hated the idea of it, the idea of asking for her help. He gazed upon the sorceress.
Shantotto met his gaze, her expression unyielding. "Blame is precisely what you deserve, TRASH. You unleashed the beast, you sealed it with questionable magic, and now you have the audacity to demand recompense for cleaning up your mess?"
A tense silence blanketed the throne room, thick enough to choke on. Shantotto's laughter, laced with an edge of icy malice, had faded, leaving behind a churning vortex of emotions. Traut, his royal facade cracking under the sorceress's scathing words, felt a flicker of desperation ignite within him.
The sorceress calmed her shoes, as if she was trying to hide what happened.
She threw back her head and laughed, a sound that echoed through the chamber like a peal of thunder. "Oh, Traut," she said, her eyes bright with a dangerous gleam, "don't you know? This is simply another verse in the grand poem of my life. And believe me, my dear fink, this will be a poem you'll never forget."
"So," he finally rasped, "are we to have an opera of insults or will you grace me with your solution, Grand Sorceress?" His voice, though strained, held an undercurrent of steel. He knew he was walking a tightrope, but the tremor tremors emanating from the Gusgen mines were a grim symphony of impending disaster.
Shantotto, eyes narrowed to glittering slits, studied him for a long moment. The air crackled with unspoken power, punctuated only by the nervous coughs of the advisors huddled against the walls. Finally, she uncrossed her arms, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"Very well, your majesty," she drawled, her voice deceptively light. "I may yet deign to weave another verse in the poem of your life, but it won't be a sonnet of charity. This will be a ballad sung in sweat and blood, a concerto of regret."
Thats when she gave the king a look of demand, for him to ask her for her conditions.
Intrigue flickered in Traut's eyes. "What are your terms, Shantotto?"
A cackle ripped the sorceress upright, amethyst robes swirling. She clamped a hand over her lips, her eyes glinting through the beak of her fingers. This wasn't laughter, it was thunder, chuckling at the kings joke. She was demanding the king to show more respect.
Traut swallowed, the bitter taste gnawing at his pride. "Tell me what you require, sorceress. Any price, within reason..."
Shantotto's gaze shifted, locking onto a figure standing stiffly near the doors. Zeid, Traut's royal guard captain, remained a silent sentinel amidst the unfolding drama. His face, etched with stoic loyalty, betrayed a flicker of unease in his eyes.
The sorceress pointed her staff at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "He will accompany me," she declared, her voice ringing through the chamber like a pronouncement.
Traut's face contorted in a mix of anger and resignation. Zeid, ever the dutiful soldier, stepped forward, his expression unreadable. The king, defeated yet defiant, met Shantotto's gaze.
"So be it," he growled, his voice tight with suppressed emotion.
Shantotto, having secured her demand and clearly uninterested in further debate, decided to leave the king with a short poem that conveyed her determination to deal with Fenrir. With a flick of her staff and a graceful twirl, she recited:
"In shadows deep, where monsters prowl, I'll tame the beast with sorcery foul. Fenrir's howls, a symphony dire, Shantotto's wrath, an unquenchable fire."
Leaving the king to ponder the ominous words, Shantotto gathered her staff and grimoire, signaling the end of their royal confrontation. Without another word, she began to walk towards the exit, with Adachi and Zeid obediently following in her wake.
As they emerged into the city, they found themselves in front of the shattered gates where Shantotto's wondrous lanner patiently waited. The hyurian children played around the bird.
However, Shantotto brought up that there was no room for all three of them on the lanner's back. Unfazed, she began casting another spell, this time without the flourish of a poem. The incantation, "Na Zan Neutral," caused her to float in the air, freeing the lanner for Adachi and Zeid.
She just wanted to be left alone.
She turned to Adachi with a tired expression, her eyes reflecting the weariness of dealing with the king's demands. "Take Zeid with you on the lanner, Yanas. Head back to my grove. I've had enough of this royal nonsense for one day." She said as she left ahead of them.
Adachi nodded in understanding, helping Zeid onto the lanner's back. As they prepared to depart, Zeid hesitated and then spoke to Adachi, his voice carrying the weight of a father's concern.
"Yanas, I have a daughter. I need to bring her with us. She shouldn't be left alone," Zeid explained, his eyes filled with a mix of duty and paternal care.
Adachi considered the request for a moment and then nodded. "Of course, Mr Knight. We can't leave her behind. Let's make sure she's safe."
They strolled toward Zeid's humble abode, the kids frolicking with the lanner, their laughter echoing in the air. Adachi couldn't shake the curiosity gnawing at him. "Why did Shantotto leave?" he pondered aloud, his voice carrying the weight of unanswered questions. "Did she feel uneasy after what the king said?"
Zeid, taken aback by Yanas's contemplations, perceived Shantotto differently. To him, she was a Tarutaru tyrant, unshaken by anything. Yanas's few words painted her as an emotional being, a side of her Zeid had never considered.
Lost in his thoughts, Adachi finally realized he was blindly trailing behind the knight. He couldn't contain his annoyance and asked, "Are we there yet?" Zeid, caught off guard, hastily replied, "We're almost there. Just take that turn." as he pointed towards the road intersection.
They reached Zeid's modest home, and as they approached the door, Zeid turned the handle, stepping inside. The air was filled with a sense of familiarity and warmth, contrasting the chaos they had left behind at the castle. As the door creaked open, a young girl with vibrant red hair emerged, her eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected visitors.
"Father! Who is he?" she asked, her curiosity evident in her gaze.
Zeid smiled warmly, "Lion, this my friend, Yanas."
Yanas exchanged greetings with the young girl, who seemed both intrigued and a bit cautious. Zeid, ever the gracious host, extended an invitation. "Would you like to come in? I can offer you a cup of water to refresh yourselves."
Adachi nodded appreciatively, and Zeid gestured for him to enter. The interior of the house was simple but cozy. Lion scampered off to prepare the water as Zeid turned to Adachi, "Make yourselves at home. I'll be right back with that water."
Zeid told Lion, who was preparing the cups. "Lion, pack your things. We'll be leaving for a while," he informed her, his tone a mix of urgency and reassurance.
Lion looked up, her eyes reflecting a blend of surprise and curiosity. "Leaving? Where are we going, Papa?"
Zeid sighed, "It's a long journey, my dear. I'll explain on the way. Just gather what you need."
Zeid left Lion to finish packing and returned to where Yanas—now Adachi—was waiting. "I just need a little more time to pack our things," Zeid explained, ready to hurry back to his daughter.
As Zeid was about to leave, Yanas stopped him, a gentle smile on his face. "Call me Adachi."
Zeid, slightly puzzled by the sudden request but not wanting to dwell on it, agreed, "Sure, Adachi. I'll be back shortly."
Boredom gnawed at Adachi like a persistent rodent. He traced the chipped hilt the cup he was holding, eyes glazing over the dust motes dancing in the afternoon sun. Then, the creak of the stairs broke the quiet, and Lion descended the stairs, clutching a bag and a tattered doll like a lifeline.
The young kid showed the toy she held dear with all joy, "Behold, Brayflox the Brave!" she declared, her eyes sparking with mischief. "She was given to me by Brayflox the Goblin, hence why she's a Brayflox herself!"
Adachi groaned, in an effort to dispel the boredom, Adachi engaged with Lion, turning the situation into a play. He played the villain in her imaginary world, orchestrating a dramatic encounter.
Zeid returned to the scene, witnessing Adachi fully immersed in the play. Adachi, as he got caught in the act, felt a bit embarrassed, shivered as he realized he was having fun playing with a child.
Zeid chuckled, looking away, and thought to himself, "Is this the tyrant's servant?" Amused, he couldn't help but blast in laughing.
Adachi, catching Zeid's reaction, couldn't resist a playful retort, "Looking away and laughing doesn't make it any better!"
Zeid, now dressed in more casual attire, gathered himself and told Lion. "It's time to go."
He called out to Yanas. "Lets go Mr Adachi"
As the party makes its way to the lanner, Adachi having fun with his new small friend, Zeid called the kids out to leave the lanner, as they were about to depart.
Lion's eyes widened with pure joy at the sight of the majestic creature. "We're riding that?!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable. as she locked eyes with Adachi
Zeid felt a sharp entanglement in his hear, he felt jealous of Adachi at that moment.
As they mounted the lanner, Lion couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "This is amazing! I'm going to fly!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a childlike wonder. Adachi, observing her reaction, realized that flying wasn't as commonplace as Shantotto had led him to believe.
In fact, many things seemed different in this world without the eccentric Tarutaru present. somehow, everyone seemed to talk normally, without using poetic lines in their speech.
As the lanner carried them through the sky towards Shantotto's hideaway, Adachi couldn't shake the lingering questions in his mind. Leaning towards Zeid, he voiced his thoughts, "What do you think the king and Shantotto are hiding?"
The knight, maintaining his stoic demeanour, responded, "I'm a knight; I'm just here to serve. I don't have an opinion of my own."
Adachi, recognizing the limits of the knight's perspective, simply shrugged.
He thought to himself, "Well, it is what it is."
The wind whistled past them as the lanner continued its flight, carrying the trio back to Shantotto's sanctuary.
