Chapter 7
Rose
I drag Cid behind me in a desperate bid to get him to safety. It's selfish, I know. To be thinking about his safety rather than my own at a time like this, when the hopes and fate of Oriana rest upon my shoulders. Yet, I simply can't help it.
He's an incredibly brave soul, brave enough to dive in front of an attack that was intended for me, a girl he barely knows. My heart feels heavy just thinking about it. And he possesses an extraordinary willpower - enough to climb to his feet again and again even against insurmountable odds.
A born warrior such as himself will no doubt charge headfirst into battle to protect others, heedless of the dangers.
But this is not the time for that. Our mana is gone, leaving us unable to fight back right now. Thus, all we can do is flee and encourage the others to escape as well. It feels disgustingly cowardly, I know. After all, the thought alone makes me feel sick just thinking of it. But what other choice do I have? Fight and watch Cid die???
One of Cid's classmates is running after us and manages to join our side quite quickly. She must be pretty athletic. Not many would train their body when training magic is so much more efficient, after all. She doesn't look the type, with those big glasses and hair done in a bun. But looks can be deceiving. I would have thought Cid ordinary seeing him any other time, though now that I have seen his soul I know he's anything but.
"We've got to get to somewhere safe first and foremost!" she insists after reaching us.
"I agree. We need somewhere we can get our bearings and plan. That said, Garden of Eden seems to be taking prisoners, so I don't think we're in a big rush."
She nods, before quietly piping up. "Are you sure this is the work of the Garden of Eden, though? This doesn't feel like their modus operandi."
The thought gives me pause, though Cid speaks up before that line of thought can go anywhere, drawing my attention away.
"Seems like you two have a plan in the works. Maybe you should just leave me, I'll only slow you down…"
"No!" Cid's classmate and I both firmly insist in unison.
I look at her and smile, happy that we're both on the same page regarding this kind-hearted boy's safety. Instead of returning my smile however, she seems to be eyeing me warily and with a hint of irritated resignation.
Why is…?
Oh. Oh Goddess. Oh no. Is she… is she Cid's girlfriend?!? I hastily let go of his wrist, my cheeks heating up. Of course someone as amazing as him is already taken. She must be wary that a princess is moving on her man.
I clear my throat. "W-well then. Uh… let's get moving." With an awkward air the three of us move on, ducking into classrooms to avoid Garden of Eden patrols. When we figure out how our magic is being blocked we can circumvent it, and fight back. But until then it's best to play it safe.
While hiding I heard one of the patrols talking. They're distracted by the chaos of the attack and reports of students escaping. Furthermore, all of the students they've captured have been brought to the auditorium.
After a few more minutes of sneaking we're stuck in a hallway with no doors, caught between two patrols that are approaching from either direction. One group moves in from the front, which hasn't seen us because of our hiding spot behind a large statue. The other marches forward from the rear, which means the moment they turn the corner our hiding spot will be useless.
"We're stuck. They'll see us any moment now."
"Not if someone does something about it," Cid says with a heart achingly haunted look on his face. "Stay, the both of you are more important."
With that he stands up and runs behind us and around the corner, startling the terrorists who were approaching from the front and prompting them to chase after him. They run past our hiding spot without spotting us.
"What the hell!?" Cid's girlfriend screams, standing up.
I grab her wrist in order to stop her, rising to my feet myself. "He did this for you, he wanted you to escape. Stay here, I'll go after him."
"Like hell I'll accept that. Let go of me!" She pulls out of my grip and runs after her boyfriend. However when we turn the corner there's no one. No Cid, and no patrols of terrorists chasing him. They can't have run this quickly, right?
Her head darts around in panicked confusion. We follow the hallway to a fork, but still not a single soul can be seen.
"Damn it!" She half-shouts. Pain heavy in her voice. She looks down the left path, then the right. "Fine, whatever. I'll go left looking for them. You go right."
I nod. "I'm sure Cid will be okay. He's a sturdy knight, as I'm sure you know."
She gives me a final side-eyed glare and starts running down the left path. With that, I also begin making my way down my own designated route, going stealthily and ready to hide at a moment's notice.
To my continued surprise there's still no one in sight. I look over my shoulder, guess Cid ran down the other path. Hopefully his girlfriend catches up to him before Garden of Eden can do anything to him. Though the thought of her still sends a stab of pain through my heart.
However, as I turn back there's a dark figure sitting on the windowsill that wasn't there before. A gentle breeze from the open window sends the edges of their dark cloak waving.
I draw my sword and point it at them, for all the good it'll do. Yet, there's no reaction. They just sit there staring at a piece of paper grasped in their hand.
This stiffening silence and their blatant lack of reaction puts me off guard, my grip relaxes involuntarily and I take the opportunity to study the figure. Not that much taller than me, flowing black cloak, face shrouded in darkness. A male, most likely. The description also feels familiar... But from where?
Without warning he moves and I tense. But all he did was throw the piece of paper in the air.
"Are you here to take a stand, beautiful swordswoman?"
The white sheet drifts lazily through the air, until it's close enough that I can catch it. On it I can see an artist's rendition of the man before me.
Wanted: Shadow
Extremely Dangerous
Reward: Ten million zeni
I gasp. "You're Shadow from the Cult of Diablos. I've heard of you. Are you here to kidnap me like you kidnapped Alexia?" I brandish my sword at him.
His voice sounds pleased. "Not this night - er… - day. For it seems we share a common enemy. So I ask you once again, are you here to take a stand?"
I nod, not letting down my guard. "I have to protect… I have to protect the school. But I can't fight as I am now. I really am weak…"
He nods. "Very well. Observe carefully." He runs his hand through the air, and extremely thin trails of mana follow his fingers. I gasp again, he can use magic!
The trails of mana float to me, I tense just in case they're dangerous. Instead they land on me harmlessly. Each one gives me a sudden awareness of the threads used. They're impossibly fine, created by a master at the craft. I doubt I could match such a focused control of my own mana. But he's showing me how he makes them for a reason.
I sheathe my sword, then close my eyes and focus. This might be the most important thing I've ever done until now. If I can figure out how he's using magic I can fight back. Protect Cid, save the school. Just like how Stylish Bandit Slayer once saved me!
My first few minutes yield no progress. I've never had to try restricting how much mana I'm using, so they end up being too thick and getting absorbed by whatever is blocking everyone's magic. But I'm not one to give up, I double down and try again. Finally I'm able to make a single fragile thread of mana that doesn't disappear!
The effort alone takes almost all of my energy. And it's nowhere near as fine or as many as he could manage. But I did it! I look up at Shadow with an excited grin.
He nods. "Acceptable."
"Thank you, Shadow. It's not much, but I'll do what I can to fight back." I put my hand on the hilt of my sword.
"You won't be needing that toothpick. Take this." He throws an inky black sword at me.
I catch it, only to be shocked at how the sword begins to slowly lose its shape. Realising what's going on, I force my solitary thread of mana into it in an attempt to force the blade to maintain its sharp sword form.
It's not enough however, it droops for a bit, then seemingly all at once the sword collapses into a black liquid.
"I see you aren't quite ready for that. Very well." He waves his hand and the liquid returns to him. "Make do with what you have then. I'll be watching."
With his final words he disappears in a wave of shadow.
Right, I have work to do then. I just hope Cid will be okay.
--------------------
Alexia
I'm sitting next to Sherry 'helping' her with some research. In truth I'm not doing much since the books are a little outside my usual fare. Still, she seems to appreciate the company. Plus, I'm also picking up on a few things. Always good to expand my skillset, jack of all trades being better than a master of one and all that.
Now, time to get to my real reason for coming here…
I put on my best, friendly, princess smile. "Soooo, what's with you and Cid, huh?"
The pinkie has the gall to blush at my question. I saw you flirting with him right in front of me, smartass!
"Well-"
At that moment, a strange feeling washes over me. I've felt this before, when I was restrained by those magic blocking shackles that damn Zenon put me in.
Sure enough, when I try to channel my mana nothing responds. Immediately, I turn to the knights assigned to guard us. "Hey, guys…."
The window shatters as some clown bursts through it, sending shards throughout the room.
"We are Edna's Garden! Or is it Guardians of Edna…? Eh, whatever. I think I'm here to steal that artefact of yours or something, but I think I'll just kill you all! Sounds more fun that way."
Crap. That guy can still use his magic from the look of things. And given how I'm injured right now, even if I had access to my own magic available I'd be in no position to fight him.
I grab Sherry's wrist and pull her to her feet. "You need to run, now!"
"Wha-"
"He's just said he's after the artefact, you're the only one who understands it. Go!"
She starts running for the door without further question, amulet clutched in her hands.
The guy that's attacking us laughed. "You think I'll let you escape, little girl?" He goes to chase after her but Glenn moves to block him, sword drawn.
"You'll have to get through us first."
Marco moves to guard me. "You escape too princess."
"But-"
"It'll be our honour to defend the princess. Now go!"
Dammit. What are you fools doing, you don't have any magic. Still, what can I hope to do by staying? At best I'll be ransomed back to Iris which we can't afford.
"I'll make sure you're both promoted for this," I promise him as I run out the door, fighting the tears that are threatening to burst.
--------------------
6 months ago
I, the Great Game of Betrayal, am having the time of my goddamn life!!!
Beneath my feet is the sound of the leaves littering the forest floor crunching while I walk and whistle a jourous tune. The pale moonlight is shining through the clearing in the canopy above, providing just enough light to see despite the night cloaking much of the surroundings in darkness.
That fool thought I was actually going to help him just because we were both members of the Cult. Hah! The look on the idiot's face as he begged for his life was goddamn hilarious, as if I'd be stupid enough to leave my victim alive and return the favour later.
I laugh so hard at the memory I have to wipe a tear from my eye. Newsflash moron, we're all rivals for positions of power. Even the Knights of Round are constantly stabbing each other in the back. They're the ones that fostered such an environment where there's no such thing as loyalty, so no one can complain when I take advantage of it to sabotage a competitor because that's just how the system works!
I throw the strange object into the air and catch it, bringing it closer to my face for further inspection with a malicious grin. It looks like an ordinary looking silver ring. Honestly I would have thought it worthless if the man I'd betrayed tonight hadn't worked so hard to retrieve it in the first place. Now what could you be, little ring of mine? An artefact of immense power? Or perhaps the key to some long lost fortune.
Whatever it is, it's going to be sick when I finally figure out what its purpose is. That thought alone makes me let out another chuckle.
"The Game of Betrayal I presume."
I jump as a voice I hadn't heard before speaks from somewhere unseen. I hadn't detected anyone nearby. Putting the ring back in my pocket, I hastily looked around for the source, but there isn't a soul around.
"Up here."
This time the voice came from above. Was it above me the first time? Ah, well, whatever. I now know where he is regardless.
I look up to the treeline, where a solitary figure sat on a branch. He was cloaked by shadows that seemed to shift in the night making it difficult to see his features. The sight was a little intimidating, even to me.
The stranger wasn't looking at me however. That bastard looked up at the moon, staring at it as if it was the most interesting thing in the forest.
"What the hell do you want, man!?"
"Don't you think the moonlight is beautiful tonight?"
"... Huh?"
"The way its silver illuminations seem to caress the world at night. Such would provide the perfect mood for taking care of business. And, mayhaps, for performing a betrayal under beautiful moonlight."
Betrayal?.... What was this guy….
Wait. Figure shrouded in darkness spouting cryptic riddles… I've heard of this arsehole!
"You're that punk! Isn't your name… Darkness!"
Darkness turned to look at me and I could finally see his face. Surprisingly youthful, not what I'd expected from the rumours I've heard.
"...It's Shadow."
"Fine, fine. Serpent, whatever. I really don't care."
Serpent actually looked a little offended. I let out another chuckle at the sight.
"Anyway I've heard of you. They say you're the guy the Rounds send whenever someone steps out of line. You beat up Gettan a few months back, right? Nice job."
Serpent didn't say anything, just silently frowned down at me.
"Let me guess, one of the higher ups got sick of my constant betrayals and sent you to take care of me permanently? Well too bad! I'm not doing anything the Rounds wouldn't do! And you're going to find I'm much stronger than a little puppy dog that can't even see! So run along now, Serpent, before I make a Game of ya!"
The fool was stupid enough to sit still and not even get into a combat ready stance. He was a goddamn sitting duck for my killer first blow!
I jump up with explosive power and stab towards him, attacking so fast there's no way he can block or dodge from his relaxed position. This is my strength, a strong opening blow when my target is least expecting it. So far I have a 100% success rate!
I see Serpent let out a sigh without moving, despite my blade still heading towards him. In total the attack will have taken less than half a second to go from ground to striking flesh.
Instead, a mere moment before my blade should have struck him, he vanishes. The sword passes through empty air and I'm left staring at the space he was in without comprehension.
There's a strike to my side that sends me flying, though I manage to flip and right myself in mid air. Landing on my feet I take stock, seeing he somehow moved fast enough to get out of the way of my attack and kick me in midair.
He was so blindingly fast I couldn't even see him move. But he was stupid to show off instead of going for the killing blow. After all, I already know how to counter those like him. In my unending genius I figured out his secret.
You see, no human can move that fast, so he must be using an artefact. Now an artefact that powerful can't be used indefinitely. In all likelihood it would run out after another three or four uses. In addition such a device will no doubt place a grave strain on his body. In other words, I just have to survive his next four attacks and I'll win.
Serpent disappears again and I tense, readying my guard.
He kicks from my exposed back again, sending me flying.
Afterwards he's nowhere to be seen. Bastard is hiding somewhere nearby to stop me seeing how much of a toll the artefact is taking on him, no doubt.
Crap, this is starting to majorly hurt. Maybe the ring that guy I betrayed earlier will level the playing field? Could be worth a shot.
I bring it out of my pocket, ready to put it on when the next attack comes out of nowhere. I'm sent to a knee and the ring goes flying out of my hand into the underbrush.
I look around for him. He just has two more attacks. After that I win. These next two will be the difference between life or death.
A black blur and I'm sent sprawling to the ground, face planting into a patch of mud.
Now I could get up, and while I'm climbing to my feet he'll strike me for real this time. He only has one attack left, so this one will be with steel rather than fist or foot. Instead of taking it head-on, I do what I do best and bait him.
I lay face down, pretending to be knocked out. Yet, my ears remain listening carefully.
There! The leaves rustle slightly and I can see him moving out of the corner of my eye. At the last second I roll out of the way of his last attack. With one swift motion I roll to my feet and hold my sword ready as he stands over the spot where I was just lying.
"Ha! You fool! You complete and utter moron! I figured out your little trick, and now you have no uses left! I win! I win! I wi-"
I'm cut off as instead of gasping for breath or begging for his life, Serpent disappears once more.
Huh?
The next kick sends me to my knees again. I look around in a panic. But he's still moving too fast for me to see where he went. What the hell?!?
Three more times he appears out of nowhere, strikes me before I can react, and vanishes just as quickly. And all three times I'm unable to avoid the hit.
The bastard is playing with me. He's the cat and I'm the mouse. I only have one option left, the final desperate tool in my belt. It's a weapon I never thought I'd need to use. In truth the chances of it working are almost none, it truly is the last refuge of the desperate and the mad. But my back is against the wall. I have to try!
"Please please please let me live oh great and mighty one!" I fall to my knees and bow my head in a kowtow position. "We're all friends in the Cult right? I promise to be good from now on, no more betrayals. Honest. You've taught me my lesson and I'll turn over a new leaf, promise. Just let me live!"
He appears before me and kneels, his face at eye level with me.
"You shouldn't betray your friends Rex, it just ruins the game for everyone."
I nod quickly. "Yes yes you're right! I obey your wisdom, Mighty Serpent!"
"It's Shadow," he insists with an irritated voice.
Isn't that what I just said?
"I obey your wisdom, Mighty Shadow!"
"Whatever. I better not catch you ruining the others' fun again."
Just like that he disappears into the night.
I look around, after a few minutes without him striking me down I finally breathe a sigh of relief and climb to my feet. Looks like the great Rex lives once again! Though I may have to pick a new nickname…
Or maybe not.
I see a glint in the underbrush and pick up my ring. Looks like he didn't collect it when he had the chance. And now, I can feel the mana inside it.
Oh yes, this is definitely an artefact. Maybe one strong enough to beat Shadow. If I crack its secrets then who knows, next time we meet Shadow may just find himself with my blade in his back.
--------------------
Present
I shudder at the memory of my encounter with the attack dog.
I was completely at his mercy, I could have died. And he let me go. I haven't let this opportunity go to waste. I've trained hard and cracked the secret of this ring, which has made me much stronger.
Still, I'm sure as hell glad Shadow is on my side this time. Even now I would certainly get my behind handed to me if we fought again. I wouldn't want to be those Guardian people when the attack dog is finally loose on them, that's for sure.
Speak of the devil, there he is now.
I give a wave at the darkness clad figure as he turns the corner. He's staring at my disguise in bewilderment. Is there something wrong with it? I look down. It should be exactly the same as what those Guardian guys are wearing. My disguise is perfect. Anyone who doesn't know what's going on shouldn't be able to tell the difference between us and them, so I'm not sure what his issue is.
He comes to a stop in front of me.
"Rex. What did I say to you last time?" His voice is hard and authoritative. A small bead of sweat runs down the back of my neck.
"Ahhh… that your name is Shadow?"
He lets out a disappointed sigh. "You said you weren't going to be doing any more betrayals. And here you are betraying the Cult for our rivals."
Huh? Betrayal? But Gaunt promised me that Shadow was in on the plan. Unless… That sly son of a bitch! Gaunt betrayed me!
I hold out my hands. "H-hold on now dude. I can explain."
"Enough." His sword appears in his hand out of nowhere.
Fine. I wasn't certain of this but I'll have to try. I draw my own sword and start drawing in the power of my ring. In a mere second I have him surrounded by two dozen clones of myself. He can certainly beat one of me. But five? Ten? Twenty?
The odds have swung in my favour.
He looks around, then glares at my ring. "More borrowed power?" He asks with a disgusted tone.
"Looks like it's time for the Game of Betrayal to begin once again!"
I prepare to attack in unison with all of my clones. Yet, in the next moment there's a swirling vortex of darkness, like some kind of oversized black slime. I watch with shock that every single one of my clones have been destroyed faster than the eye can blink, all fading into dust without having had a chance to do anything.
I stand alone once again... completely at his mercy…
"Well? Has the Game begun yet?"
I'm about to respond. However to my surprise, Shadow instead grabs my shirt without warning and suddenly pulls the both of us to the side. When I catch my bearings, I see that where he was standing, there is now the blade of a scissor katar, wielded by a beautiful Therianthrope with cat ears of a shining golden colour wearing the uniform of those Guardian people.
She looks at us with a glare of bone chilling hatred. "Rex, the Game of Betrayal. And Shadow, filthy mutt. We'll be taking both of your heads to our Mistress now."