The Cursed Swordsman

Chapter 15: Dreams or Reality

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Jeanne had been successfully warded off of Everlene. Her whereabouts were currently unknown, but it wouldn't stop everyone else's missions. Umbra and Kaiden were nearing the Temple of Wisdom, entering the thick forest that surrounded it. The two marched in silence, as both weren't exactly the talkative types. Umbra seemed even more indifferent toward the war, even. Kaiden doubted she even cared about the army's cause, but it wasn't his position to ask questions. The only reason he was there was to protect Ava.

However, while they moved through the forest, Damien had already gotten notified of their advance, and could piece together what it was they wanted. With a smirk, he sent Yura out into the forest to help guide the two soldiers right to him.

Once Yura stepped out, she made her way toward Kaiden and Umbra, and gets into a position of her studying the area, even taking the form and appearance of Ava. So as they approached, they spotted the young woman, and Kaiden rushes over to her.

"Ava!" He exclaims, making her turn around. "Are you unharmed?! Why are you out here? Why haven't you been answering any of the army's calls?" He asked.

"H-Huh...?" Yura tilts her head, then checks her (Ava's) phone,  only to see that she did, indeed, miss a lot of meeting calls. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I guess I got too carried away in my research here that I couldn't pick up!" Yume acts, giving an answer Ava would have. That time Yura spent with Ava made it easy to impersonate her as well.

"You can't be serious." Umbra narrows her eyes, already suspicious of the answer.

"No, that's a very Ava kind of answer..." Kaiden sighs.

"Is it? Well...I suppose you would know her better than I would, being so close to her..." She says, but doesn't let her guard.

"I was just about to head back to the Temple. There's so much material to learn about in the archives...!" Yura smiles, and turns to walk back, but Kaiden grabs her arm.

"We cannot afford that. We need to take you back to camp." He says.

"What? Why?" Yura asked. "Are you still worried about, Kaiden? I told you I can handle myself!" She pouts.

"Of course I worry about you. You always have a tendency to put yourself in harm's way, never caring about the consequences. I cannot lose you." He says.

Yura thinks for an excuse she could use to head back and not get dragged off. "Then...can I at least get my research from the Temple before heading out?" She asked innocently.

Kaiden stares at her for a moment, then sighs. "Very well..." He says reluctantly. "Then we will accompany you there." He adds.

"Great! Then follow me, the Temple isn't far from here!" Yura says and starts to skip happily back to the temple.

Kaiden and Umbra follow at a distance, and soon arrive in the clearing housing the Temple. The large doors open, as Yura enters with the pair behind her. "You don't have to worry! Lord Damien went out not too long ago, so it's just me." She says and skips onto the visitor platform. It starts to move, pulling them deeper and into the main hall. "I'll head to the archives to grab my research material! Just wait there and we'll be out in no time!" Yura steps onto a second platform and goes to a high level. Once she was out of sight, takes her true form, teleports behind them, and floats down, suddenly patting both their backs. "Just kidding~" She smiles, and uses her powers to put the two visitors to sleep.

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"...den...!"

A voice echos as Kaiden is shook gently.