Another Search Party (An Elsword Fanfic)

Chapter 21

And thus enters more plot and character development.
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        Just for once, Raiden wanted to be left alone. He was feeling a bit dejected and needed to be left in solitude but of course he was not. Upon arriving in the place that Ralsei had set aside for them, Raiden found himself reminded of a past he once cherished. The pictures on the walls of Ralsei's former home only made Raiden feel worse. For what reason was he actually taking time out of his life to help Kai and his team?

        The ninetailed fox that he'd been searching for was right within his grasp and he had only taken advantage of that only once. So what if the vixen was a supposed comrade. He could easily take her down just by causing the same reaction as the last time he tried capturing her. Then he could use Kazumi's power to increase his own, take back what he lost, and teach the world a lesson about meddling with those that had a strong will to survive such as his own. Who cared about Kai's stupid search party?

         Raiden was no feild scientist. He wasn't a researcher who looked for new creatures to add to a log book. He was a warrior, a fighter, someone who sought revenge. That revenge had been quelled for a bit by Reya's presence. The beautiful girl had threatened his life and certainly had the power to take it. Raiden was snapped from his tthoughs when he was suddenly smacked in the face by a small rock. Had it not been Reya that threw the rock, Raiden would have had a few unpleasant words to say.

         "Hey, I was talking to you. What's with you all of a sudden? You're being unusually calm," Reya said. Her arms were crossed and she awaited his answer. "Can't you see that I don't feel like being bothered? Oh that's right, you were too busy worried about Kazumi's little stunt that you didn't notice," Raiden snapped. Even for Reya to be bothering him was a problem for Raiden. "She's only trying to help. And why does Kazumi's name always come out of your mouth. She isn't even here for you to be turning the blame to her," Risui said.

        Of all of the people to have said something to him, Risui was the last one Raiden wanted to hear from. "Shut up you ignorant creature of darkness," Raiden snapped. "Who spit in your tea? Sheesh, you're being meaner than usual, Raiden," Reya said. Before Raiden could return her statement with a snarky remark, three familiar faces barged into the house. "Great, more people to deal with!" Raiden sarcastically thought as Azure, Ralsei, and child Kazumi made the room all the more crowded with their arrival.

         "Guys, Ralsei has something important to tell us about what happened in this village," Azure announced as she walked in. She seemed less upset than she was last time Raiden saw her. So long as she wasn't showing any weaknesses, Raiden was okay with it although her presence wasn't necessarily welcome at the moment. At least not to him anyway. "I heard about what happened. Are you going to be okay, Azure?" Kai asked.

         The leader had finaly gotten out of the bag and decided to be leader again. Either way, Raiden was still in a salty mood and could care less either way. As for the permanent marker, yeah it was still on Kai's face. Reya had tried to help Kai romove it but it remained there as if a part of him. Raiden almost got enough amusement from that to laugh. Almost but not quite. "I'm fine. You need to listen to what Ralsei has to say about the village!" Azure said.

          "Why should we be worried about some village? It isn't our job. According to Mr. Lighting Demon over there, we're supoosed to find supposedly special creatures and determine whether or not they pose a threat to Elrios," Raiden muttered. He caught Azure's glare at him but only rolled his eyes in response. "Servius was the one who saved the village," Ralsei suddenly blurted out.

         "WHAT!?" Kai, Reya, and Risui all simultaneously exclaimed. Raiden just stared at Azure as if she'd told an extremely stupid joke. "You're kidding. That's not possible. Servius is the murderer of villages. Why would he save one?" Reya said. "Maybe he isn't as bad as you guys say he is," Kazumi said. She immediately got several glares of disagreement to which she pouted.

          "He told me that's what his name was. He even looked like a dragon if one were human-like. I swear I'm not making it up. Servius saved my life although he was unable to get to Lady Kitame in time enough to save her. He suffered an injury and I offered to heal him in thanks but he refused my care saying that although he saved the village, he couldn't trust me. He said that I still held resentment towards him or something like that," Ralsei explained.

         "So you mean to tell me that Servius was headed towards Hamel anyway and just so happened to stop by this little village along the way, saving its people from whoever or whatever attacked. Now that doesn't really add up because Servius just left Hamel," Risui said. "Didn't you hear the part where he said Servius was injured. I told you guys that he was injured before we faught him last time but you all faught him regardless," Kazumi muttered.

         "You say that like it's a bad thing," Raiden said, searching Kazumi's expressions for any hint of what she might have been hiding. Although he desired her power, his suspicions of the fox had not gone away. "Servius doesn't seem to be the problem this time so we can figure out where he is later. Right now, we need to find who or what attacked Senette of all places," Kazumi said in response to Raiden's comment.

         "I agree with Kazumi although Servius still remains a major prority on our list. Ralsei, can you tell us exactly what happened on the day of the attack," Kai said. Ralsei glanced at him amd Raiden could tell that the poor guy was having a hard time taking Kai seriously. Raiden smirked a bit at this but it still wasn't enough to fully take his mind off of more personal matters. "Yes, let me start from where I was that day," Ralsei said.

         "We don't really have time for where you were or what you were doing. We just want to know what happened," Raiden said with an eye roll. Azure shot him a disgusted look. "Who spit in your coffe? I'm sure you don't act this badly all of the time. Ignore him, Ralsei. Continue with your story," Azure said. Raiden huffed in annoyance but said nothing more, allowing Ralsei to speak. "It was just like any other day and I was on my way back to the village after doing some herb collecting," Ralsei began.

         That was when Raiden walked out, leaving the room to find a place of solitude. He didn't want to hear the story. Kai would simply have to brief him later. Raiden found himself walking right out the front door only to ne called by the familiar voice of Kazumi. "You shouldn't leave like that. It's important that you listen to what Ralsei is saying," she spoke. Raiden ignored her and kept walking only to have to stop in his tracks when Kazumi appeared in front of him with her arms crossed.

         "Stop ignoring me you thickheaded idiot. Don't you think you should at least tell people what's wrong with you before you get mad at them for not caring," Kazumi said. Raiden sighed, pushing Kazumi aside before resuming his walk. "I know how it feels to lose family, especially to a race you despise," Kazumi said which caused Raiden to stop again and look back at her. "What do you want Kazumi? It's obvious that you hate my guys so why are you out here?" Raiden growled.

         "Believe it or not, I actually care what happens to this team. It's the closest thing I've had to a family in a long time. You're right, I absolutely despise you, but Kai added you to this team for a reason. Azure sort of told me that I give good advice so I'm trying it out. I have a feeling that if you ended up leaving the team, bad things will start to happen. Plus Reya sort of gave me "the look" so you could also say I had no choice," Kazumi ranted. Raiden couldn't do anything but deadpan at the fox.

         "Go back, Kazumi. I don't need your stupid advise," Raiden muttered. "Well then stop acting like it. And if you have anything to say about me or my actions, I'd prefer that you take up your suspicions away from the others. There are things that they don't need to know about me that I've noticed you have no trouble finding out. You better be careful," Kazumi said. Raiden frowned at her. "It's rather bold of you to say that. I could just tell everyone what you said, you know," Raiden said.

        Kazumi laughed at him. "They wouldn't believe you and you know it. Bedsides, something tells me that you don't even want to tell them. Good luck with your personal problems," Kazumi said before disappearing. Raiden stared in the direction she had been for a little longer before heading back towards Ralsei's former home. There was some truth to her words and Raiden didn't like that.
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Sorry for such a late update but both authors have been busy and life happens but hey, we got a chapter done so until next time you spectacular readers!