Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 127- Weaponry

"Huh," Gen seems momentarily startled by the sudden magnitude of attention directed towards her. "Oh, yeah, heh," Aegis can obviously tell she's uncomfortable and his eyes narrow in suspicion. "Well, you see, I've only been following you since you all arrived, it's not hard to see you from down in the valley when you are on the obsidian mountains you know. As for why, I'm a scout, assistant, and student to a certain wizard who shelters here. I thought you came to meet him. He told me I wasn't to return without knowing the reasons for your visit and observing you; however you all move so fast, I had no time to find food or get comfy." Gen explains, her voice... it is exactly like Nichele's..but..what can I say or do to find out, can I really just ask her?

Every time I see her movements, they remind me exactly of how my instructor would move, the way she speaks, however slight, it all matches up to her, but...how could it possibly be? She died right there in my arms. A twin? I've suspected this for a while, but what kind of twin has such exact similarities.

"Heath is his name, he also lives with his brother Ralph, and occasionally the witch comes by named Eve." I don't hear the rest of her words, the Key burns me and I know that these must be the wizards we have been searching for.

"You alright? What happened?" I stare over and see Aegis clearly knows of these wizards, but Phoenix seemingly remains unaware.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Quietly I rub the skin and Aegis gazes meaningfully over to me and I return the knowing.

"So, you can take us to meet them then, right?" Aegis asks eagerly, still seeming suspicious though.

"I guess, yeah." Gen rubs her chin in thought and Aegis's muscles relax, a weight of another journey having been lifted at last.

"Can you take us tomorrow? How far from here are they?" He continues, Rin appears startled by the excitement.

"Sure thing, we should get there tomorrow. But, I don't understand how you accidentally came across this anomaly without knowing of them as she is with you." Gen points to Hester.

"You're right, Hester has a staff belonging to one of them, she was supposed to be leading us until we ran into some Mortubrae. We haven't had much of a chance." Rin elaborates, however, the way Hester tightens her grip on the staff makes me uncomfortable.

"Help us gather some food now, I'll go with Caire, you can go with Phoenix." I can see how and why he split us up as he did. I am less experienced in the dangers of such places, Aegis has a clear mind and can always react quickly in a situation. Phoenix goes with Gen because he has powers the others don't which work nicely with a new person, Rin and Hester will go together because they just must, they're too in love.

"Wait, can I go with Hester?" Gen requests in a way as though there is no other option and side glances at the red-haired girl. Aegis only becomes wearier and barely allows it.

"That was odd. Finding the wizards has almost become too easy." Aegis mutters half to himself and I nod.

We go and get some plump rabbits, a deer, some berries, and herbs before returning to see the others have a few squirrels and plants as well, along with more rabbits.

"I'm going to be so sick of rabbit meat after this is all over." Rin sighs and I agree as the two Luzumi begin to cook the meats, me and Rin fixing the berries and herbs up nicely.

"Let's go wash these and hopefully Hester and Gen will have returned," I suggest at Rin's face ridden with worry.

"Yeah," we get up and follow the sounds of trickling waters sloshing in joy as the sweet winds twirl. It does not take long, and there we find catnip sprawling about.

"Hey! Where did Bagels go?!" I shout in sudden realization.

Rin chuckles, "Phoenix has hidden the little guy in his cloak pocket since we found him actually." I sigh and wonder how I could have ever forgotten. "Apparently they hibernate if they can,"

"Ah, I see,"

"Hey, guys!" Gen appears with Hester carrying a few limp rabbits and waving.

"There you are Hester!" Rin leaps up and tackles Hester into the catnip carpet, Gen shocked before resorting to a grin and coming to help me.

The waters are cool and especially icy, clear and smooth, I dip the berries in and then set them on leaves upon a stone to be dried a bit by the sun; whose gold rays of honey seep through and warm the airs. Each breath is a relief and refreshment, and in this moment I give up on caring how I appear or what is going on with Gen and Hester, simply relishing the sensations.

"I'll take these back with you!" Rin takes the rabbits in her hands and bounds away loudly through the light brush, Hester objecting and stumbling behind her, upset to be allowing all the burden to be on Rin.

"Well, that was interesting, and kind of cute," Gen giggles lightly at the scene, smiling down at the water, berries, and herbs.

I glance at her, those deep hazel eyes sparkling with gold flickering from the suns glitter on the waters. Her hands are gentle and smooth, tender and tranquil. Then the weapons she bears become visible. It would seem she has two swords crossing her back, four daggers, two on each side, and that's all I can see for the moment. Gen notices my stares.

"Don't worry, they're just for my training," she tries and fails to assure me, taking hold of her daggers, two per hand, each held up between two fingers swiftly. They glint silver, well-made blades indeed, when she lays them in the catnip they slice blades of grass and leaves with ease. Gen then shows me her swords, long and thin yet sturdy.

"These are amazing," my words are filled with awe as a sponge with water. "Can I touch them?" I ask as a child amazed by a toy and not wanting to break it.

"Of course you can, feel free to try them out too!" Her enthusiasm is encouraging, I caress the blades with great care, the dagger handles are tender yet firm, light and easy. The swords are the same style.

"How did you get these?" I ask her, standing and making a few slices through the air, remembering the times I felt I was better off alone, better off far away. Weapons have been such a large part of my life, that includes my fists and feet, knees and elbows, head and agility. Just because I used them for evil, doesn't mean I can never use them ever again, they are my strength and my weakness, they are a part of me, they were the ones that knew all of my suffering and actions. I know it sounds stupid, but I simply cannot resent such a mastery as these.

"I made them form the obsidian, Heath helped me too though, that's why they're silver." She informs me.