~Chlad Northern Cape~
After Izaya informed them that he had finished his conversation with the voice, Lea proceeded to command Hamsphant to land nearby a forest at the Northern Cape.
Once they set up camp, everyone gathered in a circle.
Eyeing everyone was Izaya. He had learnt and connected dots during his conversation with the voice only he could hear. And from what he had gathered, the group of four were not simply from a tribe.
"She refused to accept your choice." Izaya begun.
"Tell us." Urged Raize, seemingly not amused by the sudden suspense.
"According to her, the "Observers" were not supposed to interfere with anything on our land, but she was different. She posses memories she should not. Knowledge that was never meant to exist to maintain Ingrid's world a reality.
"However, if she did not do anything and let you four ruin everything, then she would have no choice but to ask for your cooperation. She knew about you, and she knew you would eventually meet me.
"She is what you would consider a Spirit in our books. Too different, but not far off from reality. They exist in the shadows. She wanted to keep away from world affairs, but the war upon us would destroy what she wishes to protect.
"In return for helping her out, she will answer any if not all of your questions. And if you four succeed in extinguishing the war, she will help you about your current predicament. Although I'm not sure, but she said to tell you that your irregularity can be fixed." Informed Izaya.
Lea observed her classmates' reactions as she processed the information. "Irregularities. But she wants us to play the heroes? Or is she suggesting we can do whatever we want as long as the goal is achieved?"
To her questions, Izaya simply shook his head. "She intends you to be part of this. Otherwise, it would mean less. You four are, as she calls you, irregulars... So if anything, I think you ought to do the deeds...?" He reluctantly said, suggesting Lea to accept the voice's request.
"We might be able to suggest someone else."
At her words, Izaya looked interested and confused.
"Her?" Raize guessed, looking at Lea's placid expression. She nodded in assent.
"From running away to chasing her now?" Ulla summarized.
"I suppose so... We don't really want to be too involved with the people here do we?"
"You've got a point Raize, but still... That would also mean we'll have to tell her everything we know?"
"Not necessarily... The problem still revolves around the capture targets. If we mean to stop the war, that is."
"How do you suggest we do that?" Ulla asked. She had gotten calmer when she learnt what kind of entity the voice was although there was still too many mysteries unsolved.
"You have a gist of the plot progression, right? How about the hidden characters? If we know all these, we won't have to get involved very much." But to his questions, Ulla was only left to ponder.
During their exchange, Izaya was feeling more and more confused. Bright noticed this and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "I understand." He said as he showed an understanding smile on his face.
He simply looked at Bright with an unusual blank face.
"How many hidden characters were there, Ulla?" Lea asked.
"Three. I only know they were all different from humans, as well as their locations. However, if the plot has changed, they could be anywhere!"
"You think we should've remained in Port Ruo?" Suggested Bright.
"Too late for that now." Replied Raize.
"Okay. I understand. I will not stop whatever that's going to happen, but I'll stop running away now." Lea decided. Her voice stern and cold.
"What do you mean?" Asked Raize, looking Lea with his puzzled eyes.
"We won't have to hide if the game intends to progress with us, but I will decide for my own however I want to progress with my situation. I'm tired of worrying and running." Her voice resigned, her ruby eyes decisive.
"First step, do we fetch Oliver and the heroine?" Ulla suggested.
"Yea." Lea replied curtly.
With the one-sided conversation, Raize simply sigh.
"Don't worry, Raize. We'll still be exploring." Lea said with a small smile as she glanced at Raize.
"You think that's what I wanted to do?" His question worded rather rudely, but a smile could be seen on his face.
"Of course. You and I.... are not that different after all." Lea concluded.
Her words allowed Raize to burst into laughter.
"...I sometimes wonder if you two have telepathic abilities between you two." Muttered Ulla, but her words were clearly heard by the two. To which they simply replied with a small knowing smile.
Noticing this, Bright came forward. "Wait, you do?!"
A burst of laughter was once again heard, but this time, it was Ulla, Raize and Lea's.
"No, silly." Ulla simply replied after she had calmed herself down.
"What is this game you are talking about? And you are leaving somewhere? I thought you were gonna stay with me? Who is this Oliver and Heroine? Telepathy? What is that? And I thought you were running from your tribe's killer? Why does it sound like you have been escaping from your fates instead???????"
Consecutive questions were thrown in the air by Izaya who looked completely lost.
Empathizing with the young man, Lea let out a soft sigh. "Sorry Izaya. Our past that I told you was not true. In fact, we are indeed running, but not from anyone."
"Wait, maybe we are running FROM someone or more...." Raize added.
"Oh?" Lea turned to him.
"Oliver. Purple haired dude. I'm sure they are going to chase you to the ends of the world, Lea." With his uttered words, Lea felt a sharp shiver on her back.
"............" Silence took over her soul.
"I think her brain finally malfunctioned. I knew you were something else, Raize." Ulla joked offhandedly. "It's okay, Lea. We are here if you need anyone to restrain them."
"Yea right. Remember how hard it was for us to restrain a measly Purple haired dude?" Retorted Raize.
"Then what do you propose we do?!" Finally frustrated, Ulla asked.
Seemingly unfazed to Ulla's outburst, Raize proposed. "Teach Lea how to handle men."
"......................."
Complete silence took over.
"Are you proposing we wrap them in Lea's hand?" Clarified Ulla.
"Exactly. I've noticed Lea's not really comfortable with people in general, but it's especially true with men. I suspect someone turned her to be as such." As he said so, he remembered Lea's brother.
"I fear for my life." Was all Lea muttered.
"So Ulla, teach her well?" With his question, Ulla looked troubled but gave a nod in return.
"Guys... I have more questions here..." A certain fiery haired youth called, looking rather lonely in one corner. Beside him was another lonely youth with black hair and blue eyes.
"Don't worry. I understand." Was all Bright said as if his answer resolved Izaya's confused mind.
"Can't you tell me anything...?" He inquired hopelessly.
"Dear Izaya, my friend. I know a lot of things, but the one thing I sure do not know about is my current situation. Would you like to listen to what I know?"
"Bright. I can now understand how sad your life must be...."
"Oh! The Joy! Someone finally understands me!!" As Bright said so, he gave Izaya a hug to which the latter refused just as immediately.
Raize, Ulla and Lea were looking at the two with amused eyes.
⌘
The group decided to go back to Mingzhe Dei for the moment. But when they were halfway through their journey by semi-flying and walking for days, they encountered the characters they were looking for.
Oliver, the Heroine and a few people with them were heading towards the capital of Chlad.
"Guys, tell me. What happens if a prince from another nation visits another nation?" Bright asked.
"Peace talk?" Replied Ulla.
"People can read it wrong. But it's not like the relationship between the two is that bad?" Raize answered, looking for an answer himself.
To their confused mind, Izaya said, "This could be the reason why there were only soldiers inside............."
His words rang a bell to the others.
"Your disappearance was another matter. But if they intended to win the war, they should have never disposed of you. Why would they?" Lea critically assessed.
"Because I am a slave brought from Sabio." He simply said, and that was enough to answer Lea's question.
"Sabio really is a den of slave trading...." She quietly muttered, remembering Carlitus. Her heart trembled for the poor souls, stealing a glance towards Izaya. Her face unreadable.
Ulla raised her hand and called for others' attention. "What do you guys think of this...?"'
The others listened to her plan with rasp attention.
After a while, Lea's face paled.
In contrast, Ulla's face was beaming.
While Raize was not amused.
Bright was no longer paying attention halfway and was then looking at the ground. He was looking for who knows what. But he vaguely remember feeling upset as he was listening to what Lea had to do.
Izaya was listening intently and looked forward to when the plan gets executed.