The Role of Mages

Trouble

" Kyoto knows who Nighttail is right?" Hilberch asks.

" Yes." Everyone replies.

" Then we can get straight to the point. He's been spotted in the village down at the bottom of this mountain. I want you guys to investigate why." Hilberch says.

" It's strange he'd be found there of all places...." Ryland mutters.

" Huh?" I look at her, confused.

" I think the only reason he would be there is because, he's looking for something." She says.

" And that can't be good." Zero says.

" We shall go there. Let's pick partners."

" I'll go with Achned." Samus says.

" I'll go with Ryland." Zero says.

"... Ahhhhhh, Why. Did. It. Have. To. Be. You?!" Aster groans.

" I... Guess we're partners..." I say, laughing nervously.

" Why did I have to be stuck with you......I'd rather be with that extremely annoying vampire than a weakling like you." He mutters.

" I thought you hated him." I say.

" I hate everyone." He says.

I decided not to talk to him anymore before he snaps.

We walk around the village. It would seem empty or abandoned at first glance but, when you walk around you can see a few people walking around.

They didn't look at us and they seemed bored..... They didn't even look at each other.

The atmosphere seems really depressing and empty.

" Focus." Aster says to me.

" Oh!"

I walk up to him.

He growls and I take a few steps away from him.

" Sorry." I say.

" Don't." He hisses.

" So we've been here for a few hours but, we find nothing." I say.

" The aura in this area says otherwise." He looks around, suspiciously.

" The aura is depressing and empty!" I say.

" Shut up! If you shut up for a second you'll see what I mean." He says.

I shut my mouth and look around the area.

" There's-.....wait...." I stand still for a moment.

When we were walking around the village, it was quiet and the air felt bored.

But, this area we are in... It's to quiet and the air feels tense.

Someone's watching us.

" Or someone doesn't want us here." I say.

" Agreed." Aster makes his axe appear. The rod extends slightly and Aster holds it like a scythe.

" I still don't have a weapon..." I say.

" Pick up a stick." He suggests.

" Oh like that's going to protect me from a sword." I say.

" Better than nothing." Aster says.

I sigh and look around the area. Why would Aster have a strange feeling around the cemetery? Maybe Nighttail came here to pay his respects to someone he knew.

" Here." Aster hands my a hunting knife.

" Thanks." I take it and hold it, defensively.

" Relax." He says.

" Huh? What do you mean by-" He grabs my arm and pulls me out of the way.

A strong force crashes down onto where I was, before Aster pulled me away, leaving a giant hole in the ground.

" Can I go to One town with any of you following me?!" Nighttail exclaims as he picks up his sword, glaring at us.

" We only came over here because, someone saw you walking around here." Aster says to him.

" What's so weird about visiting the place where you were born?" He asks.

" That is also the same place you nearly destroyed." Aster narrows his eye.

" There were thieves there!" He growls.

" But burning the entire town, workers, children and all, was the only way to do it?" I see a faint smirk on Aster's lip.

Was he taunting him?

" It's been a while since our last fight. What do you say?" Aster asks, pointing his axe at him.

" Hmph." Nighttail makes the sword disappear and a small knife appears in his hand.