Amidst the wind's symphony and the lanner's majestic flight, Lion's vibrant voice pierced through the air.
"Hey, Adachi, is this your first time riding a lanner?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Adachi, adjusting to the rhythm of the flight, offered a grin. "Not my first rodeo, but it's always a thrilling experience. How about you? Is this your maiden voyage on a lanner?"
In the quiet recesses of his mind, Adachi reflected, *Well, technically, it's my second time, to be precise.*
Lion beamed, her eyes wide with wonder. "Yep! Never been on one before. It's like Brayflox the Brave is carrying us to the clouds! Maybe lanners are magical creatures, and they sprinkle fairy dust when they fly!"
Adachi chuckled at Lion's whimsical assumption, opting not to correct her. Instead, he decided to chat about something more kid-like. "You know, Lion, what's your favorite game to play? Mine's hide-and-seek!"
Lion pondered for a moment, her brows furrowing. "Hmm, I really like playing hide-and-seek with my friends. Oh, and I love pretending I'm a brave adventurer, just like Brayflox!"
Adachi grinned, enjoying the simpler conversation. "That sounds like a lot of fun! What's the bravest thing you've done in your adventures?"
Lion's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Once, I rescued Brayflox from a pretend monster! I swung my pretend sword and shouted really loud. Brayflox said I was the bravest adventurer ever!"
Adachi laughed, impressed by Lion's imagination. "Wow, that's awesome! You're definitely a hero in the making. Hey, speaking of heroes, how old are you? you seem to be like 10"
The young adventurer paused, considering the question. "I'm eight! How about you, Adachi?
"how old do you think I am? Take a wild guess!" he said.
Lion's eyes widened, and she gasped dramatically. "Hmm, maybe... a hundred?" she guessed, her expression filled with playful mischief.
Adachi burst into laughter. "A hundred? That's quite the guess! Well, I'm not that ancient. I'm seventeen."
Lion's eyes widened again, and she grinned. "Seventeen?! That's so old! You must know a lot of stuff!"
Adachi chuckled at her innocent reaction. Meanwhile, Zeid, overhearing the conversation, couldn't help but marvel at Adachi's composure. He silently wondered how this young Hyur could navigate Shantotto's eccentricities with such ease.
As Adachi is having fun with Lion, he noticed a subtle shift in Zeid's expression. Curiosity and puzzlement played across the knight's features, prompting Adachi to shift his attention from the enthusiastic child to the seasoned warrior.
"You know," Adachi said with a thoughtful look, "Shantotto isn't as bad as she seems. Once you get to know her, you realize that half of what she does is just a facade and theatrics."
Zeid, taken aback by Adachi's perspective, began to form a response, but before he could articulate his thoughts, Adachi pointed ahead. "Looks like we're almost at Shantotto's place. Save the deep thoughts for later, my Mr Knight."
The lanner descended, wings slicing through the air as they approached Shantotto's grove. Lion, still buzzing with excitement, couldn't help but glance at the surrounding landscape, her eyes wide with wonder.
As the initial awe of the magical grove subsided, Lion's eyes widened again, this time in confusion, as the surroundings shifted. Adachi, sensing her disappointment, welcomed the two with a grin.
"Welcome to the 'not-so-secret' cave," he quipped, gesturing around the ordinary surroundings.
Adachi, unable to resist a sarcastic remark, continued, "Shantotto will be positively thrilled to have guests. Brace yourself for one of her 'questionable' one-pot dishes. She'll pretend to be indifferent, but we all know she secretly loves playing the hostess."
His gaze lingered on Zeid.
As the magic enkindling the lanner gracefully retreated to its unseen abode, the magical energies in Shantotto's grove began to shift and disperse. The sorceress, always attuned to the ebb and flow of mystical currents, sensed the lanners return.
With a nonchalant flick of her finger, she began to chant a whimsical poem
"Through realms unknown, where shadows dance.
A traveler returns, in mystic trance.
A spell profound, Shift the threads where destinies are bound.
Gi Megid Verse"
As the final words of the incantation echoed in the grove, a subtle shimmer enveloped the party. The surroundings blurred and twisted, as if reality itself was bending to Shantotto's whims. With a whimsical flourish, the world reshaped, and the trio found themselves in a different part of Shantotto's cave.
Zeid, sensing a sudden change in the atmosphere, swiftly moved into a protective stance in front of Lion and Adachi, ready for any potential threat. Adachi, however, couldn't resist the opportunity to punctuate the moment with his characteristic sarcasm.
"Ah, the grand entrance," he quipped, glancing toward the ever-dramatic Shantotto. "Never one to disappoint, our illustrious sorceress. Always with the flair."
Zeid, perplexed by the unfolding situation, began to piece together that there might not be an imminent danger. Adachi, seemingly unperturbed, reassured him with a sly grin, "Relax, Zeid. This is just Shantotto's way of saying 'hello.'"
Meanwhile, Lion, caught between excitement and trepidation, couldn't help but express her childlike wonder. However, upon spotting Shantotto, her excitement quickly turned to fear. She looked to her father, concern etched on her face. Adachi, taking note of the situation, gently reached out and ruffled the little girl's hair.
"Don't worry, it's fine," he reassured her. "Shantotto might seem a bit scary, but she's just putting on a show. She's going to show you some cool magic. Why don't you go play with the 'scary sorceress' over there?"
With Adachi's calming words, Lion's fear subsided, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity. She tentatively approached Shantotto.
Shantotto, her eyes narrowing in suspicion, addressed the party with a performative introduction. "Well, well, finally, it is the lost boy and the knight. Pray tell, who's the pint-sized companion you've brought into my humble abode?"
She couldn't quite fathom the sudden change in Adachi's demeanor, finding it peculiar and slightly unsettling. However, she couldn't resist the opportunity to revel in the dramatics of the moment, her mind already concocting a myriad of theories about the enigmatic little girl in their midst.
Sensing Zeid's discomfort with the sorceress, Adachi swiftly intervened. "Shantotto, how about you whip up a little magic show for our young friend here? I'm sure she'd love to witness the greatness of the Grand Sourceress herself."
Adachi turned to Zeid, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Come, Mr. Knight, let's have a little chat away from the fireworks."
Guiding Zeid to a more open area upstairs in the cave, to the veranda.
Adachi, perched on the veranda's edge, patted the empty space next to him. "Take a load off, Zeid. Shantotto's antics might be overwhelming, but I promise you, she won't turn her into a sprout or anything. I'm living proof."
Zeid hesitated, glancing between the seat and the source of his unease, the lively magical display below. "I appreciate the offer, but I'd rather stand. Never been one for sitting idly, especially when sorcery is involved."
Adachi chuckled, understanding the knight's wariness. "Fair enough, but you're missing out on the best seat in the house." He leaned back, propping himself up on his elbows, and took in the cave's ethereal ambiance. "It's not every day you get a front-row view to Shantotto's magical extravaganza."
Amidst the whirling winds and mystical echoes of Shantotto's incantations, Adachi noticed the questioning glances that Zeid cast in his direction. Feeling the need to bridge the gap between them, Adachi flashed a friendly grin and initiated a conversation.
"Hey, Zeid," he began, mischief flickering in his eyes, "ever want to hear a tale from another realm? my tale" Zeid, caught off guard but intrigued, nodded cautiously, inching closer to Adachi while keeping a watchful eye on Lion and the enigmatic Tarutaru sorceress.
Adachi's recounting started with the mundane aspects of his life – a morning argument with his mother, attending school, conversations with advisors, and plans for the future. As he shared these details.
Zeid couldn't help but observe the stark contrast between the Hyurian youth and the royals, painting this picture of a royal ran away.
When Adachi reached the part about the magical circle used for his summoning, Zeid's immediate reaction was one of anger. He began to rise, intending to confront Shantotto. He assumed that she summoned the boy as a slave.
However, Adachi, anticipating Zeid's unease, gently held the knight's hand and calmly stated, "She saved my nick."
As Zeid settled beside Adachi, the confusion etched across his face seemed to deepen. Curiosity and concern mingled in his gaze as he listened to Adachi's tale unfold. The youth continued, his voice weaving through the unseen threads of the narrative.
"So, get this," Adachi began, "A certain king ordered my capture. His guards were about to cut me by the nick, i was not the beast they wanted her to summon, and that's when our illustrious sorceress over there," he gestured theatrically toward Shantotto, "decided to pull off some teleportation magic. Poof! Out of danger in a blink."
Zeid's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and realization flickering across his features. As Adachi continued, he revealed that Shantotto had not just whisked him away from peril but had taken on the role of a guardian, caring for him during the subsequent three months.
"She's got a knack for stirring up trouble," Adachi remarked with a chuckle, casting a sideways glance at Shantotto, who, in the midst of her magical theatrics, seemed to revel in the attention.
As Adachi concluded his tale, Zeid's perplexity found a voice. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked, a furrow forming on his brow.
Adachi's response was laden with a playful tone, "Oh, you're part of her play now. Maybe Lion is too. She seems to like her. Welcome to the family." The words hung in the air.
Zeid, on the verge of protesting or seeking further clarification, was interrupted by a call from his little one. Lion's voice echoed through the cave, inviting her father to join her in watching the magical spectacle. With a lingering glance at Adachi, Zeid relented, acknowledging the pull of his daughter's excitement, and headed towards the source of the cheerful call.
Adachi, with a cryptic smile, dropped a casual comment as Zeid left, "If you're curious to know more, just ask. I've got stories to share, and time is a fickle thing."
Zeid, uneasy with both Adachi and the sorceress now, moved towards his daughter, attempting to push aside Adachi's cryptic comment, and focused on joining Lion to watch the magical show.
As Shantotto, glanced Zied's approaching, she decided its better sooner rather than later– the time for frivolity was waning. It was the cue for her. She beckoned Yanas over, who casually remarked that using Adachi's name was acceptable; Zeid was already acquainted. Shantotto, reluctantly and with an evident hint of displeasure, uttered the name "Adachi."
Gliding effortlessly to the scene, Adachi assumed a squating position next to Zeid, yanki suwari position, while Shantotto directed her attention to Lion. Telling her to emjoy herself with the magi brooms sweeping the floor next to the bookshelves, Lion dashed away.
With the stage set, Shantotto turned her gaze toward the two men, initiating the conversation with a sassy tone, "Now that the little one is occupied, let's delve into business. I imagine you're itching to know why you're here and what role you play in my stage."
Adachi, ever composed, remained intrigued by how the sorceress effortlessly blended theatrics with gravity. Shantotto continued, "Adachi, you're not a drop-of-the-mill visitor. You've the talent in persuading the hard ones. I've been watching." as she gave him the side eye.
Zied, still uneasy, squinted at Shantotto, "Sorceress, what are you playing at?"
Shantotto grinned "My dear knight. we will break the seal board around Fenrir. Do i need to say more?"
Shantotto embarked on an intricate tale the realms . With a measured cadence, she explained "Fenrir wasn't a mere summoned beast; rather, it was a creation birthed through the esoteric art of Dynamancy."
Zied, stood next to Adachi in discomfort.
Adachi, a stranger to the intricacies of this world's history, listened intently, his curiosity piqued by the name Fenrir
Shantotto delved, describing Fenrir as the folkloric manifestation of Shiva's wolf—a potent Barta beast wielding the magics bestowed by the ice queen herself.
She said "For Fenrir's appearance involved summoning Shiva, who would then weave the wolf into existence in this realm. The Fenrir we will unseal has a different origin" She looked away for a second before you continued "It was conjured not by Shiva but by a Hyur."
Zeid displayed visible discomfort at what she said. Skepticism etched across his features, as if he grappled with the credibility of the Tarutaru sorceress's words. She had no reason to make anything up, she was powerful that her words can take the creditability from the king himself away.
Shantotto continued her account, describing a bizarre method employed in the conjuring "a female goblin acting as a surrogate maiden for Shiva."
"Shiva was young evoker, manipulated by her own friends, she was used as a bait for her friends to run away from a pack of wolves. The adventurers who she thought were her friends, just as she was about to climb up the cliff they used to stay away from the wolves reach, cut her hands and pushed her down to the wolves."
Shantotto looked puzzled and stopped talking for a bit.
Adachi couldn't help but make a side comment to Zeid in a hush sound "See, she coulnt keep her facade when her emotions started leaking, her talking manners are not theatrical anymore"
Zeid ignored Adachi, as he started annoying him and looked back at the tarutaru.
She continued "The Hyur in question sought to recreate Shivas creation events, intending to control a new ice queen molded from a goblin's dynamis. Brayf..." Shantotto came to her senses as the female goblins name slipped out.
She Said "The Hyur's Sharad crumbled like a poorly crafted potion!
Zeid SHOUTED "BRAYFLOX?!"
The sorceress batted him no eye and continued her tale "Instead of birthing a new queen, all he managed was to concoct a beast with a misplaced sense of loyalty. A beast yearning to guard a master who never manifested. Oh, the folly of meddling in magical affairs without the proper flair!"
Zeid asked again "was it Brayflox" he had a concerned look in his eyes.
Lion who heard the name Brayflox, came running, she was looking for her friend that she has not seen in a very long time.
Adachi looked at knight and sorceress in a very annoyed manner. perplexed by the revelation that he did not understand, demanded an explanation from Shantotto.
In her signature sassy style, she retorted, "I don't have time for a lore class now! Gi Megid Verse" With a flick of her wrist, she teleported out of the room, leaving Adachi with the pondering knight next to him.
He looked at Zeid and said "do you believe me now? do you want to know more?"
Zeid looked at Lion and nodded.
Adachi grumbled in frustration, "If only I had you guys with me here." Referring to his friends from the other world.
Zeid, bewildered, exclaimed to Adachi, "We need to find Shantotto to hear the rest of it," and walked away in search of the elusive sorceress.
Adachi turned to Lion and asked, "Shall we follow your papa?" She nodded in agreement.
