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Einer cocked an eyebrow when Lanus introduced himself to the lyre musician with a charming smile and a bow. Einer, himself, wondered why he was being given this special treatment when Lanus' Elven companion, Renee clarified that Einer was a male. The musician could only sigh with his eyese closed. Such misunderstandings were dime a dozen with him.
The day wasn't even over yet when one of the new Reavers had decided to climb the Eon Tower itself for reasons unknown to Einer. Although, her transforming limbs did raise his one of his brows. It was magic he had not seen before. A potential avenue, perhaps...?
Whatever that woman was doing, her plans were, almost literally, shot down when an armored avian that glowed green with magic flapped a gust of wind on the transforming woman that knocked her from the walls. Only for the avian to catch her in its talons and safely deposited back to the group. The avian had its master on its back, who disembarked shortly after bringing back the new Reaver. She had a typical witch's attire like Evelyn's and Lapis', but colored black.
The black witch introduced herself as Roze. And shortly after welcoming the new Reavers, another veteran Reaver approached the group. He was a Belua with draconic features, and apparently Lapis' brother. Aside from welcoming the new team, he also said that he would be in charge of the physical training of the Reavers. Nothing that concerned Einer at the moment.
They were then led into the Tower itself, a marvel of engineering and brilliant architecture that blended the magical artifacts and mechanisms of the structure with marble aethestics quite well. Einer had to admit, none if was shabby. He could get used to this place. The new Reavers continued inside, eventually finding themselves entering through pair of ornamental doors into a very fancy audience chamber complete with stained windows and velvet rugs. In the middle, was the big man himself.
“...Now, do any of you have any questions for me? If not, we’ll go ahead and get you set up for the field. We’ve made sure to have a few jobs lined up for you, should help in getting acclaimed in how we do things out in the field.”
A more formal welcome from Sage Irvin, the head of the Eon Tower. Although, Einer's ears perked up when he heard that this place had a library that had 'countless grimoires and artifacts'. Yes, this could be the place where he could finally get what he always wanted. The new Reavers introduced themselves and asked their questions, at least one of whom already slinking away to enjoy the Tower's many facilities.
"I am Einer Devaron, Sir Irvin. At your service." The musician finally spoke, tipping his hat as he did. "And my questions are the same as the others."
The others... He didn't want to compare himself to the others, but Einer could not help it. Especially if they were right there beside him. And didn't that eyepatch guy, Hector Wyland, say he was practitioner of Thaumaturgy and Galdr, not to mention a marksman? Gods, there was already someone here who was better at the things he can do.
Update out. Will Takeshi convince his fellow warriors not to kill him? Will he continue to fall for the yokai? Did Ayu finally learn how to cook? Find out in the next episode of ______!
"This unit is currently fighting at 43% strength to ensure that you all may be captured successfully. Please cease and desist by laying down your arms and allowing yourselves to be captured before you come to harm. Your resistance will be noted, and your cooperation will be appreciated,"
Having taken down so many of them with her monstrous strength alone, the remaining bandits considered Eula's warnings to them. After seeing her make the ground quake with a stomp and sending six men crashing into a tree with a single punch, the Swordsmen hesitated in their desperate attack and began to doubt their chances against her.
But perhaps, their crossbowmen could be of some help. They knew that those crossbows had magical bolts that could give them a fighting chance against foes more powerful than them. However, those crossbowmen had already been defeated. Shizuka had snuck behind them, shooting bolts of ice that froze the ranged weapons solid and riddling their hands with instant frostbite.
Now, the bandits knew they were truly alone in this lost battle. Their leader was gone and their support was disabled, there really wasn't anything they could do anymore. As soon as the first bandit who ran away did so, tossing away his sword, the rest followed. They ran towards every direction besides Eula's and Shizuka's, screaming in terror and leaving behind their unconscious or beaten brethren.
The battle was over, with the taskforce victorious. If they wanted answers as to what really happened, they had plenty of bandits still left in this desolate village: There were the Swordsmen that Eula defeated, the crossbowmen that Shizuka took care of and the bandit leader probably still alive in that house.
Any and all attempts to hide his fling with Alice went down the drain the moment the Mad Hatter herself woke up and decided to explore his body as she roused awake. She then finished with a stolen yet affectionate kiss, done in front of virtually the entire taskforce. Ayu blushed at the sight and looked away.
"I rather liked the taste of your Royal Tea."
Takeshi could only watch with a miserable frown as the taskforce remarked on his situation.
“Though, I will admit this was the last thing that I was expecting to learn about after returning from the mission and getting some relaxation at the hot springs, but I can say you guys at least keep things interesting for me, soooooo when is the wedding”
"Takeshi-san, you naughty boy~ Seems you've finally succumbed to the charms of the 'dreaded' yokai. I'm glad to see that you've learned that were not so bad after all. Although, I didn't take you for being into the cute Lolita type."
"Hey, Takeshi, looks like you got your fields tilled."
...And he saw Lunatea glaring at him. Was she jealous? Well, he did give her a ride that one time.
At least, Kerry had the sense to try and talk the rest of the taskforce to the reality of the situation. As she did so, Takeshi disembarked from his horse and despite it all, still courteously helped Alice get off too. There was talk of keeping this within the taskforce, but such a secret as big as this and known to so many already was futile to hide. All he could do now was convince the others he was still of Shizuyama. If not, at least its defender.
"Agreed, we must keep this a secret... for now. These kinds of secrets don't stay secrets for long." Takeshi spoke to the yokai. "I'll take responsibility and reveal this... incident on my own terms. Hopefully, the others will understand and put the Varjan invasion first before anything."
"Now then, you'll have to forgive me but I must take my leave for now." The young lord Oja told the taskforce before leaving, patting Alice's head as a parting gesture.
"Lord Takeshi..." Ayu had a bad feeling about this. But she returned her attention to the taskforce. "I heard you guys were hungry? Well, you're in luck 'cause we just got done cooking a fresh batch of rice and fish. I know they're not the top dishes of Shizuyama, but we're not exactly running a restaurant here."
The dinner would sound tempting for those whose stomachs were rumbling, but to pursue Takeshi and see what he would do next was also an option.
"What about youz? Coming? Or you just gonna sit here all day?"
"It is called..."
"Nobutada."
The large monk stood up. "Lord Takeshi."
Indeed, the young lord Oja approached the two and interrupted the conversation between them. He looked crestfallen but determined, as if he was in the middle of accepting a gret loss or tragedy. A concerning mood that Nobutada noticed. "Milord, is everything alright?"
"Nobutada, gather the others. I need to talk to all of you. Privately." He ordered the monk before turning to Gringor. "Real sorry, but I must ask you to rejoin your taskforce for now. I heard they're having dinner."
~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~
"Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father.
Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help."
-Takeshi Oja
"Yurine has taken care of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. Despite being a servant, I know she can swing her masakari axe pretty hard. I've little idea of her past but I know it involves tending cemeteries.
She should be in Castle Oja but my father sent her to Onrai to begin enacting some way to protect the graves from being desecrated by the invaders. I know of a famous cemetery south of Terauchi Temple. We can begin looking for her there and she'll surely help us."
-Takeshi Oja
~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~
"Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately." -Takeshi Oja
~~ SORAE TALES ~~
*Finish 'Pre-Emptive Strike' to unlock next tale*
~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~
A villager woman sitting near a bonfire was muttering to herself when the taskforce member approached.
"Poor Honoka, she'll likely starve soon. Oh, I didn't see you there. Err, Honoka's a widow, living alone in the outskirts of Yabo.
Please, if it's not too much of a bother, do you mind checking in on her?"
A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by.
"You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood."
"People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..."
A villager woman was sitting beside a bonfire as the taskforce member approached.
"There's a man, yokai, swinging his sword... slashing the air on the beaches of Hama island. I'm not sure if he is a survivor of Sanjo Beach, or a mere bandit. But I'm fairly sure he was crying."
"Hama island is just off the southern coasts, but you'll definitely need a boat or something to reach it."
~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~
"Dealing with these students of the Heavenly Strike was more difficult than we thought. They have already thrown back two of the taskforce. However, the yokai fought them separately and at different times, so perhaps a more cooperative approach would be more fruitful."
Alright, time to update! Unfortunately, 2 of my gacha games started evetns at the same time and I just downloaded a new one. So it might take a while, but I'll try to get it out on time.
Magic Divination: Thaumaturgy and Galdr (the latter is mostly unused)
Abilities: Einer casts his magic by playing various music with his lyre.
Song of Este - By playing a mellow and peaceful tune, all those who can hear it feel their pain disappear and their wounds close up slowly. Perfect for those recovering in healing wards or those healing from injuries after a fight.
Song of Yavanna - By playing an inspiring tune, albeit quietly near its target, grievous injuries and deep cuts are healed until the flesh was as if undamaged. Only one target must hear the song for the magic to take effect, which is why this must be played quietly.
Song of Vana - This tune evokes emotions of safety and confidence, and that is because all those who hear it are protected from minor curses cast on them. Works best against area-of-effect curses.
Song of Nienna - A song of pure sorrow and misery that actually helps purge any curse from an afflicted. The song is long and the target afflicted must hear the whole music for the curse to be lifted. May require several replays depending on curse strength.
Song of Varda - A song of celebration that cleanses an area of Miasma. Monsters and other Miasma beings are angered by this melody and will seek out the source and destroy it, mostly ignoring everything else.
Summon Kastul A draconic familiar of Einer that he never bothered to call forth again after the first summoning due to personal reasons. It was only named Kastul when Einer's child sister screamed out the word when it was summoned.
Martial Arts Einer isn't defenseless in close-quarter combat. He knows some moves to take down enemies who gets too close.
Equipment: Einer's Lyre - A master-crafted instrument made specifically to project Einer's magical abilities to the fullest. Commissioned by Einer's family.
Iron Knuckles - For when Einer needs to get down and dirty. Like he always wanted.
Brief Background: Born to a noble family in Flugell, Einer was not like other boys growing up. His form was more feminine, slender and graceful. His skin was smooth and unblemished, he was beautiful... the beauty of a woman. So much so that he had been mistaken as a girl multiple times in his life, even from his own family who knew he was born a boy. Outwardly, Einer politely waved this off but inside, he resented this view of him. Resented himself for being born with such a body.
But perhaps a show of abilities and heroic deeds could change his image into a manlier one, Einer thought. Alas, his only callings in magic were in Thaumaturgy, the magic of healing and staying behind the frontlines, and in Galdr, where you ask something else to defend you or fight for you. Try as he may, Einer could excel in no other field of magic. Fortunately, he decided to hone his Thaumaturgy over the years anyway, just to not let down his family. However, his draconic familiar was forgotten after the first summoning.
With that avenue closed, Einer decided to try more physical combat. A fruitless venture too, as Einer's body was not suited for strenuous exertion of physical effort. Lifting and holding a sword in a stance already proved too much for Einer, so most trainers recommended he use his fists instead. Although, he was told not to rely on it too much and simply focus on his magical talents.
However, Einer's pride and desire for change had not given up yet. He could not find the answers he was looking for here in home, so perhaps he can find them somewhere else. And that lead him to travel to Morgenröte and continue his research there. He enlisted in one of the newer Magus Association Towers to sustain himself, although it would certainly be lucky if he finds what he seeks in the Tower itself.
Anything else we should know about you: Einer is a great cook. A talent he practices but cares little for as it is also a skill that no one really needs.
Inhaling an entire breathe of air, Einer took in the sights and scents of the Morgenröte Republic. He had never traveled to this part of the country. In fact, he had never traveled outside of Flugell until now. It was certainly an experience for the young Devaron, but he never forgot why he came here. The Theocracy back home was safer for Einer and more familiar, but it did not have what he truly desired.
Before moving on, Einer spared a glance at his invitation to the Eon Tower, one of the many sects the Magus Association had. It was the first organization he saw and decided that it would be the place where he would begin his search. He had also heard it was formed pretty recently, likely the reason why he was accepted despite his middling magical abilities.
Einer sighed. He was far from home, and knew no one here. He was a stranger in a land that he did not know, but the things in life worth pursuing were hardly easy to pursue.
---
~ The Eon Tower ~
Einer arrived at the designated location in the invitation, the Eon Tower itself. It towered, of course, but it was taller than the young Devaron expected. He was at awe, and started wondering what was inside. It certainly would not be anything Church-themed so he decided not to expect anything and let himself be surprised at what it offered.
Looking back down, he saw the assembled people and immediately guessed that they were probably fellow Reavers. His guesses were confirmed when two witches who arrived via a flying broom introduced themselves and asked those present if they were here for the Tower as well.
They all looked so... capable. Powerful. Independent. They would not be defenseless in a fight, nor do they need to fear a crude ambush. And who was Einer compared to these people? A short, lanky boy who casts his magic with a damn lyre. No doubt, they would order him to the back lines in missions. Protect him from harm, if only by principle. Would they even need his healing abilities? These people did not even look possible to hurt.
The young Devaron, who arrived on foot carrying only a small sack of his belongings and his personal lyre, closed his eyes to purge his envy from his being and compose himself. If what he sought was here, then there was no need to worry about anything.
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