Red Roses

Chapter 14 (Fool's Gold Arc)

"Jade and I don't really leave Nasrinth that often, so this is pretty exciting!" Zolio exclaimed. Jade's eyes were fixed to the world beyond the windows of the car. The view of the city was quickly receding, all that could be seen around them were the emerald fields and the dirt road. Once the group was far enough away from the confines of the city, herbivorous creatures were seen grazing.

Keertan had his eyes on the road, "Well, I travel a lot myself, I've seen plenty of cities." Ardit decided to ask, "Where are you from exactly?"

Keertan looked at Ardit through the rear view mirror to answer, "Me? Born and raised in the Tulipa territory, a place called Papaver City! I'm guessing you three haven't seen other territories then huh?" Ardit and Zolio nodded, Jade wasn't paying attention.

Suddenly, Zolio's head perked up from her slouching position like a meerkat. Her mouth agape, she exclaimed, "What the hell is that?!"

In the distance, rapidly approaching their view through the horizon, stood a decrepit gany-made set of structures. Soon enough, the vehicle was put to a halt as the four exited. Ardit's eyebrows raised, he uttered, "This is old Nasrinth...? It looks so-" Keertan finished his sentence, "Dead?" Ardit shook his head, "Pretty much the opposite, check it out!" He pointed at the city ahead, within, the buildings were teeming with life. The buildings look worn, broken, and dilapidated. However, various species of flora occupied the space. Lush greens in the form of vines and moss were covering certain parts of every structure. As they walked, they could see wildflowers and critters, the likes of which were unseen within the confines of the city. Jade and Keertan were careful to avoid stepping on the flowers. Despite the beautiful surroundings, Ardit noticed Zolio's fists were in a tight clench. Ardit's hand was slowly reaching for the blade on his belt.

Jade and Keertan still seemed to be infatuated with the environment. However, Zolio glared at movement from the tall grass. "Look out!" Zolio lunged into the grass, intercepting an oncoming attacker at Jade. Ardit rushed to Zolio's aid as the other two were in shock. A large horned beetle hissed as it broke free. The beetle was a third of Zolio's height, black with an iridescent shine. As Ardit pulled the blade from its sheath to strike, the beetle lept from the ground and spread its wings.

"Damn it! Come down here and fight me!" Ardit yelled, giving fruitless attempts to slash the air. Jade looked to her side and noticed Keertan sliding his palm across the back of his left hand.

Zolio made an attempt to thrust her fist into the underside of the beetle. The beetle swerved out of the way, ramming its horn into Ardit's chest, knocking him onto the ground. Keertan called to the others, "Guys!" He then made the gesture of covering his ears with his hands, the other three complied.

The three could hear a loud chirp, similar to the one present at the church yet infused with magic. The beetle fell to the ground mid-flight, squirming on the ground against its back.

After the coast was clear, they released their hands from their ears and turned to Keertan. He shrugged, "I'm not completely useless without a piano!"

Ardit and Zolio exchanged glances. She rushed and slid on the ground to hold the threat. Ardit knelt down and pushed the blade into its underside. It gave out a loud squeal as clear fluids seeped out of it. Jade shuddered at the view and took a step back. Zolio and Ardit clasped hands in a strong grip, cheering.

Keertan scratched against the back of his neck. He looked at Jade, "Humans are kinda savage aren't they? Not to offend." She nodded as she watched Ardit cleaning the blade in a puddle.

"I'm guessing there's gonna be more wild animals like that?" Zolio asked through heavy breaths. She was met with only a nod from Keertan who's eyes were still wandering the area.

Ardit asked, "So once we bring the goods back to the church, we can get some help on how to survive?" Keertan seemed to be peering over the entrance of a building to look in, but he turned to Ardit from his question and shook his head. "Honestly? I'm pretty sure they'd help us regardless of if we were risking ourselves like this. We're doing this because it's the right thing!" He corrected Ardit. During their brief conversation, Jade noticed something in the grass. Kneeling down, it revealed itself to be a 50-bristle coin. She rushed to the others, handing Ardit the coin.

Zolio peered over Ardit's hand at the coin. "Five bristles?" She questioned. Ardit shook his head and explained, "No, Jade's onto something here. This is new, it doesn't look worn or dirty!" Zolio gave her close friend a pat against her back. "Nice!" She cheered.

Keertan searched for confirmation, "So that must mean we'll find it if we move further that way?"
Ardit confirmed, "Yeah, let's keep going!"

As the four searched, they noticed more and more coins. Ardit picked up the more valuable ones. The environment felt different as they ventured. The plants were just as vibrant, but the wildlife thinned until there was none left. Jade tapped her hand and vanished, holding onto Zolio's hand.

Keertan's eyes were near Jade when she vanished, "Stealth tactic?" He asked. Zolio raised the arm holding Jade. "Nervous reaction." She answered. Keertan made the early decision to change the subject, "So, did you name your new weapon?" Ardit glanced over, removing the blade from its sheath. "Name it?" He asked. Keertan walked closer to him to continue the conversation. "Every good fighter names their partner!" Keertan confirmed, "When I was training as a kid I named my first piano Tempo, corny I know." Ardit could faintly see his eye in the reflection of the blade. He assured, "Well, if I come up with a name I'll be sure to let you know, alright?"

"Guys! Check it out!" Zolio interrupted the conversation, pointing above. Jade seemed to be enamored with something. The other two looked up and felt a wave of astonishment. Before them stood an overgrown and dilapidated building. Resting atop was a large pile of coins, the collection of bristles was much larger than the small pile at the church of the golden god. At once, the group entered the building and scaled the stairs leading to the roof. The steps creaked with each step as if they were a few days away from giving in. Ardit kept himself stable by holding onto the railing as he walked up the flight of stairs, Jade on the other hand refused to risk touching the unsanitized building.

Upon the roof lay the hill of riches, the tallest bristle in the pile scraping Ardit's head in height. "Perfect! Let's grab it and get out of here!" Ardit exclaimed. He was met with Zolio pointing out the obvious, "And how do you suggest we take all of it back then?" The two took a moment to notice just how much they'd have to carry. Keertan chimed in, "Well, maybe I can bring the car around and we can put it in a bag full at a time?" He looked at Zolio's recently purchased knapsack. She disagreed, "This obviously won't fit in the car, otherwise we're all gonna be squished by a pile of money!" Ardit countered her point, "Actually I wouldn't mind if-"
"Shut up." She cut him off.

Jade wasn't tuned into their conversation, her eyes were affixed on the pile as she crouched down in front of it. Jade wondered herself how to transfer all of this. She tucked her hand into its sleeve to comfortably place it against the coins, she moved her hand across the pile to move some of it out of the way. She flinched and fell back, her eyes widened as she felt her heart race. Her eyes stared deep into the wealth.

The wealth stared back.