Chapter 87: Ambush
Rumbling across the road, YN was pushing his car as fast as he could control it, pushing the suspension and tires to the absolute limit.
The road to the Capitol had seemed much more refined in the carriage of a ground dragon, given its divine blessing of Wind. Using that, it had smoothed the ride out, making it akin to traveling on a cloud. And while the road wasn't a complete goat path in terms of quality, it hadn't been keenly smoothed out for the travel of anything but ground dragons.
Rem: YN-kun, is it alright to be so hard on this vessel? What about its limited range?
Worried for his car, Rem voiced her concerns while she held onto the handle above the door to her side.
YN: These things are made to go over rough ground every now and again. And as for the fuel? We could make this trip twice and back if we really baby'd it.
Rem: YN-kun does not seem to be 'babying it!'
As she had said that, the car had hit a rather deep mud puddle, causing them both to jostle as the suspension failed to keep up. Using the wipers to clear the water on the windshield as they went on, YN couldn't hide the growing anticipation on his mind.
YN: The trip back will be smoother, I promise.
Rem: If YN-kun says so.
With the rough ride continuing, the road eventually tamed itself and became smoother once more, allowing YN to drive with greater ease. But as they went on, so did the daylight they enjoyed. As the sun reached its apex across the sky, a gust began to blow across the plains, making the grass wave to its motion, and as it danced, it revealed a town just beyond its green tips on the horizon.
YN: Hey, that's the town we went through the first time, right?
Rem: Yes, that is Fleur. It is only slightly larger than Arlem, but the town lies at a crossroads between the western entrance to the Lifaus Highway, and the road that is the detour we will be taking.
Looking out at the sky from her window, Rem tried to estimate their speed.
Rem: Normally it would be close to night-fall had we taken a carriage, so at our current pace if we did not stop, we would reach Arlem and the Mansion by sun-down at the earliest.
YN: Ha. I told them we could do it.
Somewhat happy to prove Crusch wrong about their travel times, YN quelled his self gloating to pay consideration to the maid in his passenger seat, so patiently putting up with the rough trip and sitting for so long.
YN: Do you want to take a break in town? Maybe stretch your legs or get something to drink?
While the idea did sound appealing, Rem shook her head.
Rem: Only if YN-kun also needs to, which Rem suspects he does not and intends to go non-stop until we arrive at our destination.
Hearing the determination in her voice, YN nodded and sped along, hoping to make it through the town quickly and be on their way.
***
Sat on the stairs of a local inn, she poked at the ground with a stick, the only piece of wood left from her carriage wreck, as her melancholy thoughts plagued her mind.
She had been traveling back home with her driver, or who she assumed must have been driving, as she couldn't quite remember having a driver. "But there must have been one!" was the only rational she could come to, as she wouldn't have been permitted to travel alone.
It was early at night when it had happened, the sun had gone down, and with it had been her contracted spirit, as per his contract, he was to slumber when it became night time. Traveling along the Lifaus Highway, they, or rather to her own memory, just herself, had recently departed the town of Fleur.
There had been some talk of closing the Lifaus Highway on the word of some traveling merchants who had just come from that direction, but with there being no mist visible, and the detour taking an additional day or more, the decision to close it had been delayed by local authorities. While they had lingered in Fleur until the definite decision was made, it was also decided that they should press on through the night rather than lodge in town, as they would be set to arrive at their destination just before the end of Water Time. After all, with the backup of carriages, it wasn't like they'd be going it alone.
I can't believe they took him...
Holding a hand to her chest where her pyroxene crystal had once hung, the girl's depressing thoughts returned in force.
After having departed Fleur to head down the Lifaus Highway, the backlog of carriages had begun to spread out. Fast carriages went on ahead, and slower ones slipped behind. But with the one she resided in somewhere in the middle, there had been only one other carriage that remained in close proximity. And before she had realized it-
???: Ah!!
Breaking the ground dragon's Divine Protection of Wind, the carriage had begun to rumble and shake, greatly startling the sleeping beauty within it. With the sound of yelling and chaos brimming just outside, over all the rumbling, as she had looked to inquire what was going on, the carriage had begun to tip.
???: Whaa!! It's going over-!
Slamming into the side, its single occupant was thrown with it. Smacking her head on a luggage holder, her mind immediately went fuzzy. Disoriented and confused, her senses struggled to make heads or tails of what was going on, let alone understand what way was up, and which was down.
Reaching her hand to her head, she felt a warm lump where she had hit, but thankfully did not feel any blood.
???: Ouch...
As her eyes strained to come into focus, it was apparent by the light breeze she could feel on her fair skin that part of the carriage had busted open, a result of the crash she had just been an unwelcome participant in. The darkness all around her did not make this easier either, as her only source of light was the full moon above.
Struggling to stand given her dizzy condition, she had begun to hear voices.
Others! Are they hurt? Did they get caught in the accident as well?
Looking out of a new crudely cut door for the carriage, a set of figures stepped forward and blocked the light of the moon.
???: A-Are you all alright? I'm uninjured, but shaken...
Without a response, it appeared as if the figures looked toward each other and then approached her as she continued to get her bearings back.
???: I think I can help myself up. Can you please check on the driver-?
As she spoke, she assumed they approached to help her up, but as her blurred vision and slowed judgment time failed to keep up, she had only realized what their intention was as they had knelt down beside her.
After reaching toward her, as they went away, she felt the absence of something around her neck. Something very important. As her slowed mind tried to think of what it was, it glistened in the light of the full moon as the thrives held up their prize.
That's-!
???: Now what do we do with the girl?
???: Take her captive, she might fetch a hefty ransom. I'm sure the Margrave will pay handsomely to make sure she's returned safely. We got what we were hired to get.
Suddenly it all had begun to make sense to her. The crash. Their silence. What they had taken.
This is an ambush, and they're taking Puck!
???: I don't know actually, wasn't she supposed to be super strong with the Great Spirit of Fire by her side?
???: We were all told, it can't come out at night, so we're fine as long as we get to- AGH!
Forcing herself to become fully aware again, she knew now was the time to act. Holding up her hand, she summoned a blunted ice crystal from thin air to strike one of the two thieves who were gloating in their victory.
???: Shit! She can still fight!
Taking action, the other thief, the one who still held her crystal, ran beyond her field of vision. Struggling to still find her balance through, she stumbled out of the overturned carriage as the thief mounted their own carriage.
???: C'mon! Get to driving! She'll catch up and then we'll be done for!
???: Stop! Give me back what is mine!
Watching as they snapped the reins of the ground dragon, she failed to recall what the driver of the thieves had looked like, or really, if she was sure they had even had one to begin with. Her memories regarding carriage drivers here seemed fuzzy at best, but this wasn't the pressing issue of its time.
With a flick of her own wrist, she bathed the ground of the road in a thick ice sheet before her. Running, jumping, and sliding, she accelerated towards the fleeing carriage that held her most valuable possession. Casting more ice as she went along, her momentum allowed her to begin to close in, as the carriage's ground dragon had yet to have its Divine Protection activated.
I have to reach them before-!
As hope bloomed in her chest that she'd reach them in time, her vision was suddenly clouded by an intense fog. At first thinking it might have been frost from her own magic, the cries of the thieves assured her this wasn't the case.
???: Oh shit! It can't be!
???: It is!
Focusing on the source of the intense fog, or mist rather, caused her pursuit to be slowed.
???: Get us out of here! Get us out of here!
???: I'm trying!
With the thieves continued bellowing, she had begun to see the first change in the mist. At first, it was a silhouette, a small one. But soon, it grew.
Bigger than her.
Bigger than the ground dragon she was chasing.
And finally, bigger than the carriage she was after.
The silhouette kept getting bigger and bigger until-
???: - - -
That's... an eye!
Staring back at her, was the largest eye she had ever seen. As the beast before her let out its cry, she halted her skating.
It's the White Whale! I... I-I have to run! Puck said if I ever encounter it I should-!
Before her thought could finish, the beast sped ahead, shifting the thick mist around its gargantuan body, locking in on the carriage,
No! I can't let it get them!
But with the thick mist now blocking her view of the carriage she had been in pursuit of, she came to a halt.
???: It's... gone... Where is it?! It has to be somewhere!!
In a state of near panic and her heart racing, she ran on foot towards where the carriage had been, hoping she could reach it. With only a few paces worth of visibility in front of her, she eventually reached grass where the highway began to curve, unable to accurately tell where she was headed. But from somewhere that sounded like behind her, she heard the crash of a structure, the sound of snapping wood, and the grunting of a ground dragon in pain.
How did they get behind me?
Rushing over, she searched all around in the hazy abyss for any sign of the carriage.
Did I mishear? Where is it?!
Stumbling around, she finally came across a single price of wreckage. A lone stick, splintered off a larger piece of lumber that had been part of the carriage. For reasons unknown to herself, she picked up the shard of wood, and looked around more in the billowing world of white around her.
???: I don't understand... where did it-?
Wondering to herself out loud, the mist around her shifted once more and again the silhouette from before returned, and with it so had its war-cry.
Loud enough to make her cover her ears, she knew at this point, it was futile to try and look any further. But her more pressing issue was-
I have to escape! I have to run!
Looking all around however, she was completely turned around. Had she come from that way? Or the other way? No, the carriage was going that way but ended up behind her somehow. Was it the carriage that had gotten turned around, or was it her?
Prying and biting away at her mind, her jumbled brain was startled by another shift in the fog, this time it was a projectile headed for her. A large one at that.
???: Ha!
Summoning what strength she could from her other contracted micro-spirits, she erected a wall of ice just large enough to shield herself from the onslaught of thicker mist that was bellowed towards her.
That's an attack of some kind! I can't let it reach me!
Becoming a new victim of the Whale's offense now, her mind had enough, and all of her instincts flared for her to run. So she did.
Going as fast as her fair legs would let her, she ran in the only direction away where the thick mist had attacked her from.
???: I've gotta-! *Huff* -get away!
Hearing yet another wave of mist come for her, she erected another wall of ice behind her, and another, and another. In a full fleeing panic, she burned mana putting up wall after wall until-
???: Haaaa!
Breaking through what seemed like a barrier of air, she escaped the mist. Dropping to her hands and knees, her body pulled in air like she had never done so before, as the thickness of the mist had hampered her breathing.
As she turned to look behind her, the wall of foreboding mist lingered. It was not advancing towards her, but it was not receding either. She had just narrowly escaped a terrible fate.
Yet as she looked forward, before her lay the town she had just passed through, Fleur, where the road was now clearly closed that led to the Lifaus Highway.
Gazing back at the mist again though, her heart felt heavy.
Puck... I left Puck behind...
With a half step, she got closer to the most once more.
???: No...
As reason returned to her mind, she heard her contracted spirit's fatherly words enter her mind.
He wouldn't want me to throw my life away looking for him in there...
But as much as it pained her, she did know that once the sun rose, there would be a chance he would return to her, but without the pyroxene crystal that held him, staying around and remaining manifested could pose significant hurdles.
???: For now... it'll have to wait.
Solemnly beginning her walk back to the city, her mind struggled on what to do next.
If I return to the mansion, he'll know where to find me at least. But getting his crystal back will be a challenge if it's lost on the highway...
Still with the stick in her hand, she furled it around in her grip. It was the only piece of proof she had that what had occurred actually happened.
Hopefully he can make it past the Whale... if not, he'll be in trouble...
Resigning her sad thoughts for now, she returned to the city of Fleur.
Moneyless, and more than likely, scorned for her appearance, she took refuge in a safe place for the night, when in the morning, she could send word of her problem via the local guard garrison back to the Capitol for help.
Which finally led to where she was now, poking the ground with her stick, and sitting on the steps of the local inn.
Hopefully help comes soon...
As her morale was low and her heart was sunk, a familiar rumble filled her ears.
???: Is that-?
Where the inn's front steps sat, she was given a clear view of anyone coming and going from the entrance that led back to the Capitol, perfect for when you're waiting for someone from that direction.
Speeding by her though, was the familiar brown metal box that one of her loyal retainers operated.
???: YN! And Rem!
Standing to greet them though, she was too slow.
Rushing past her and leaving a dust cloud as thick as the fog from the night before, Emilia threw down her hood as she ran to the middle of the street, waving her arms.
Emilia: Hey!!
But in vain, her voice's yell, like a sharp silver bell, went unheard by the two who had just raced by. Slowly dropping her arms, her morale sunk even lower.
Emilia: Even under the best conditions, I doubt my message for help would have got to them so soon anyway...
Taking her leave once more, back to her steps, Emilia sighed deeply.
Emilia: Puck...
With her hand meeting nothing but air where her pyroxene crystal had once been, the half-elf mulled over recent loss.
Emilia: I hope you're okay...
***
With all due haste, YN and Rem sped through the sleepy village of Fleur after noting that indeed, the Lifaus Highway had been shut down. Working their way north via the detour to Arlem, the two had just passed through Hanumas as the sun had begun to set, its first rays of yellow beginning to streak across the sky.
Driving right into the sunset, YN flipped down his visor, and to Rem's benefit as well, flipped hers down for her.
Rem: Oh, these are very convenient.
YN: That's what they're there for.
Their trip had been full of little intricacies like this. Rem would have her curiosity piqued about some small detail, and YN would explain it to her. And for some reason, he greatly enjoyed it, finding her curiosity to be one of her most adorable traits, as the idea and wonder of "otherworldly" items never seemed to fade for her.
Entering into the final forest, they each knew that Arlem wasn't far ahead, maybe another hour of driving at most.
Rem: Rem is very surprised at how fast we were able to arrive. The ride is not as smooth, but the convenience of being able to travel so much further in a shorter time frame, Rem can see why these were a popular choice in YN-kuns home world.
YN: Yeah, a lot of people swear by them.
Having to slow down some, the road became rougher from the dry ruts created by the overhanging trees. The two continued on in a relaxed manner until-
Rem: YN-kun.
YN: Hmm?
Rem: There was not just a Return, was there?
Caught off guard by her question, YN slowed down more.
YN: No...
Knowing what she really meant, that she could smell the Witch's Scent, YN felt his heart begin to race. Looking left and right and in all his mirrors, he silently answered the maid to his side.
Rem: YN-kun would do well to keep his eyes open and be alert, there may be-
*THUNK THUNK THUNK*
YN: What the hell?!
Sounding as if he had just been pelted by rocks, YN looked to his driver's side door to see a blade piercing into the cabin, just below the door handle.
Is that a knife?!
Rem: We have been ambushed!
Stomping on the gas at hearing that, YN hastened their speed.
*THUNK THUNK THUNK*
Hearing more muted impacts, more projectiles lodged themselves into the metal exterior of the car.
YN: Damn it! Where are they coming from?!
Rem: Rem is uncertain. This must be what Crusch-sama meant by 'unrest.' We must- YN-kun!
Trying to get a view from the windows of the car, Rem had looked forward and pointed out to the windshield.
Stood in the middle of the road was a cloaked man in a pointed, hooded robe of dark purple. Reaching behind himself, he moved his wrist in a way that he was throwing something.
YN: Shit-!
Jerking the wheel, YN used his other hand to shove Rem's head below the dash.
*CRASH*
Impacting the windshield, the shatterproof glass held the blade, but completely covered the view in a long spider web of cracks.
YN: Bastard!
Hitting the gas, YN aimed his car for the assailant. Attempting to dodge, the hooded figure appeared to want to stay on the offensive, moving only as far as needed had it been a dragon carriage charging him.
But this was a car, not a carriage.
With some handiwork at the wheel, YN side shifted the car, and following the squeal of his tires, was the thud of the assailant hitting his hood and sliding underneath the wheels. As the suspension rocked, a distinct *BUMP BUMP* was heard as they drove over the body.
YN: I can't see shit now!
Daring to roll the window down and look out the door to stay on the road, Rem thought quickly. Unbuckling her seat belt, the maid scooted down in her seat and put her legs up in the air.
Unsure of what she was doing, YN only saw the brief flash of her upper thighs as her dress fell down on them as she suddenly pushed her legs outward.
Rem: Hah!
Pushing her legs towards the windshield, Rem used her heels to impact the already broken glass. Breaking the bond it had to the car's metal frame using her oni-strength, the windshield flew forward and off. Bouncing once on the roof, it quickly scraped its way off the back and was left behind, letting YN have optimal visibility once more.
While he wished to praise her quick thinking, YN was unable to as more thrown blades impacted their rear.
YN: They just don't stop!
As they raced onward, the pitter-patter of knives hitting from all around contained until-
*POP!*
Grabbing the steering wheel and laboring to get the car under control, YN's fears were realized.
YN: They got a wheel! We're not gonna get much further!
While they may have gotten further had this been a paved highway, this was a rough forest dirt road, and because of that, the now flat tire certainly did not agree with letting them continue onward without any problems.
YN: Damn it!
Coming upon a turn, YN lost control of the rear of the car, causing them to spin out and hit a nearby tree with the rear of the car. With the impact causing his head to smack the window to his side, his immediate concern was Rem.
YN: Rem! Are you-?!
Without an opportunity to answer him, Rem had already lept out the open hole where the windshield had been and exited the vehicle.
YN: Rem!
Getting himself out, YN forced his door open as the crash seemed to have tweaked the body of the car, causing his door to not function as well now.
Looking around, it didn't take long for YN to spot the blue haired girl, who was now standing in the middle of the road.
YN: Rem! We need to-!
Rem: YN-kun!
Halting him with her hand, she turned her head back to him ever so slightly, but not to take eyes off the road before her. As her head angled through, YN saw it.
Glistening with a glow of deep magenta, Rem had manifested her horn.
Rem...
To say the least, she was outwardly serious about something.
Rem: Stay behind Rem. These individuals are dangerous.
Instinctually following her orders, YN moved to place himself behind her,
YN: W-Who are these 'dangerous people?'
Looking past Rem, he observed 'them.'
About twenty paces away, they stood, shoulder to shoulder, all dressed in long, foreboding black robes with pointed hoods to conceal any detail of their personhood.
YN guessed they numbered close to a dozen, and with their knife throwing skills already abundantly clear, he feared what else they might have up their sleeves. Literally.
Rem: The smell from earlier was all Rem needed to know that they were nearby...
As the sound of chains and rusty pipes being dragged about echoed in the quiet forest, Rem's manifested horn had begun to make her tunnel visioned as she also now wielded her morningstar.
Rem: It is who Rem loathes...
While she was deaf to YN's startled words, she inadvertently answered him nonetheless. Reaching back with her hilt and chain, the enraged oni launched her morningstar at her foes.
Rem: -Witch CULTISTS!