Ancient Kings x Adventures of Spirit: Cryptic Serendipity/Chapter 1: Enigmatic Maiden

## Roleplay

### Episode 1: The Sensation of Mystery

Through the clearing of the forest, a blur of cyan light emerged from an empty space, zooming within the area in alarmingly fast speeds. It gradually slowed down, leaving a trail of smoke and debris. A green-haired man emerged from the dust. He sighed in relief.

He might feel as if he's being watched, for some reason....

"Hmm? Where am I now...?" He walked around to familiarize the area he is currently in. "The flow of the winds... It is awfully similar to Antiquus." Of course, he was implying the similarities of the place's energy with Aetermana.
Joshua looked around as if he had felt someone's presence. No, many of them.

*"...Aeretherians? Surely not. The signatures have differences."*

He might hear things darting between the trees, and something rustling in the underbrush. Then, suddenly, a petite figure stood up out from the underbrush, looking at him.

Joshua kept looking around, feeling multiple presences. He happened to glance at the figure. As he did, he focused his eyes on it. The feeling of his look was... cold and austere. It was as if an entity with glowing cyan eyes had just beheld it.

The figure was a rather small woman, wearing a simple orange top and a black skirt. Her hair was pepper black, long and unruly, and her eyes were strangely heterochromic. One light grey, one light blue.

*".... A native?"*

She shyly backed away, thanks to his cold look, though she didn't leave.

He walked towards the lady. Somehow, the look on his eyes turned slightly tender.

The woman, looked at him, curiously. "Who... who are you?" She asked. Her accent sounded quite strange.

He stopped walking. He was standing somewhat close to her. "I am Joshua Zephyrius of a distant world. May I ask your name, milady?"

"My name is Io. I'm a local here..." Io answered, shyly.

"Io," he spoke. "It matches well on you."

Io bowed her head slightly. She held a handmade wooden staff in her hands.

He reached forth his right hand to her.

Io reached her right hand out as well, shaking his hand.

"It is a pleasure to know you, milady."

Io blushed slightly, somewhat awkwardly.

The presences surrounding them had still not left. They were actually growing slightly more numerous...

Joshua let go of her hand gently. "That reminds me... I am feeling some sort of supernatural forces around. Do you know of such?"

After a moment of hesitation, Io nodded. "Yes, indeed." She looked around. The presences seemed to take the hint, and started to gather around in plain sight. They were transparent figures, boys and girls of all ages.

"Ohh, I see," Joshua said. *"They are somewhat akin to Aeretherians, I suppose."*

The spirits waved, in a friendly manner.

"These are the Magic Spirits. My kin." Io explained, waving back with a smile.

Joshua smiled, feeling welcome.

Io looked back up at him, her eyes gleaming slightly in the light.

"Hmm, where exactly do you live, milady?"

"I live here in this forest, amongst the spirits..." Io answered, vaguely so.

"Uh-huh..." Joshua thought of something. "Perhaps could you give me a slight tour. If you would like, I will protect you as you do me such a favor."

"Oh, gladly! Thank you!" Io answered, happily. She motioned to him to follow, as she walked past him and started down a trail.

Joshua followed along. "This girl... She is quite interesting. Hmm, I do not think it will hurt me to stroll around for a while and get to know her."

As they were walking, Joshua was submerged in another thought. *"Her kin are spirits? Hmm, very mysterious."*

As they continued down the trail, more spirits waved to then as they passed.

As soon as they arrived, Joshua observed the place. "Interesting."

Io had led him to the cabins. They stood somewhat stout, rather wide. They were old and very weathered.

"That reminds me, milady," Joshua spoke. "You, a corporeal one, have incorporeal kin?"

Io nodded. "It's a rather lengthy story, but it's true..."

"I see," he replied. "My curiosity is further piqued."

Suddenly, the crackling thunder caught Joshua's attention, causing him to observe the heavy gray skies. "It is best to take shade, milady."

Io nodded, leading Joshua inside.

As they entered the cabins, Joshua looked around fascinated at the sight of potions and such.

"Milady, does anyone besides you live in these cabins?"

Io shook her head no. "Not really, no. Some people have come and gone, stayed for a night or two at a time, but nobody actually lives here."

"I see," Joshua responded. "Now that we are inside, would you care to enlighten me... regarding you and your 'kin'? I find it strange for a corporeal to have incorporeal kin."

"One of the boys that used to live here before the place was abandoned tried to summon the spirits. He made a mistake doing so, summoned me, and gave me flesh. I used to be a spirit just like the rest of them before. Next thing I knew, I woke up in this here cabin." Io looked off into a bedroom. "Right in there."

"I... see." He replied, feeling slight pity on the lady.

"It's been strange, but quite alright." Io mused.

"You are a spirit back then, I see," he said as he looked at her eyes. "Though your eyes... It is a very rare condition from my world."

Io smiled slightly, looking up at him. "I wonder if he'll figure it out?" "Not so fast, Celeste."

"Hm?" Joshua mouthed.

Io looked up at him, curiously. "What is it?"

"I hear... voices."

Io looked out the windows of the cabin, wondering if the spirits were nearby. None were present.

"No, milady," Joshua said. "In your head, that is."

Io backed up, startled.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

*"You just **had** to open your mouth, Celeste!!!"*

*"What?!? I didn't know he'd hear, I was just curious, I-"*

*"Well, look where that got us, huh?!?"*

Io wobbled unsteadily, looking weak, before she collapsed on the floor.

"Milady!" Joshua reacted swiftly, with his eyes glowing. Moving at unseen speeds, he moved towards the lady and caught her before she hit the floor.

Io coughed, weakly, regaining her balance and getting back on her feet. "I-It's true..." Io answered him, hesitantly.

"I'm sorry for my mental eavesdropping..."

"It's quite alright. But I guess you know now, huh?" Io forced a smile.

"You have... two conflicting sides, perhaps."

She nodded. "Indeed. That spell summoned two of us, not just one."

"Two... spirits!" He realized. "This case is nigh-improbable. But that makes you unique, milady."

Io blushed, looking away from him slightly.

"Now, now, let us rise up," he said as he carried Io upward bridal-style and placed her gently with her feet hovering slightly from the ground.

Io blushed even harder. Clearly, since she was around intangible spirits most of her life, she was not used to this.

Joshua noticed Io looking away slightly. "Are you all right?"

Once she realized that she was floating, however, she got over herself. She spun around, joyously.

Joshua smiled mildly. To see a woman in her unharmed state makes him happy already.

For Io, the weightless feeling was a breath of fresh air, a reminder that she was still one with the spirits too.

The thunder grew stronger as rain poured.

Io seemed surprised that it was storming so bad, bit didn't dwell on it for long.

"Hmm, this does not really bode well."

Io nodded in agreement. "Well, surely it will pass..."

"Not really about the duration," Joshua said. "I have a premonition of this."

Io looked at him curiously.

*"Airion, promise me you won't freak out."*

*"No guarantees."*

Joshua opened the door to see what is outside. He heard eerie noises nearing their location. "Tch."

Io listened closely. "What is the matter?"

"Milady, should we take a change of location? I presume we have nasty company on our way."

"Company? No. We must see what is happening here." Without another word, Io stepped out of the cabins, here eyes changing to both grey as she did so.

"Milady, wait!"

A stream of energy rays were lunging towards Io.

Io ducked with remarkable timing, and the rays went over her head and hit the cabins. The cabins were mildly damaged, nothing severe.

Afterwards, Joshua moved at unseen speeds while grabbing Io out of the way to the back of the cabins.

"Thank you..." Io replied, catching her breath.

"Milady, what are you doing? You are risking your-" Joshua stopped as he observed Io's eyes now both gray. "Your eyes changed...?"

Io nodded. "I'll explain later."

"Her voice is slightly different here," he thought. "Milady, stay here for a while. I will check the intrusion."

"Thank you..." Io nodded, though she was intending to go with him. At least, Celeste was.

Joshua jumped to the roof and checked who had just attacked them. There were winged aliens around. "Mere fodders?" He sighed as he went back down. "Milady, your sudden valor gives me a hint that you can fight."

Io nodded. "I can like this." She said, a mischievous glint in her grey eyes.

"Perhaps you can support me from the rear. I cannot bear seeing a woman risking herself in grave danger."

Io nodded in agreement. She tightly gripped her wooden staff.

Joshua leaned on the wall of the cabin to conceal himself from the enemy while subtly watching them. Seeing five of the winged aliens- the carrion pygmies- he extended forth his left palm. Five wind blades were formed in the air and swiftly butchered the pygmies.

He quickly got back to his position. "Milady, what can you do?"

Without saying a word, Io started to draw a rune with her staff. When she was done, her staff crackled with energy.

*"A metamagic user!"*

Io steadied her breath, peering around the edge of the cabin whilst kneeling down.

Joshua waited for what she could cast. He was getting slightly impatient out of urgency.

Io was looking around for a target.

Coincidentally, there were two pygmies nearing them.

Io aimed, firing at one of them and then the other. The particular magic she was using was raw Ether; the most basic weapon amongst the spirits.

They were blown away, receiving significant damage.

Io smirked, though she knew they weren't down for good.

Joshua's interest was further piqued. He somehow felt the energy she was using. "It is somewhat similar to Aetermana..."

The energy she was using was far less pure, however. It was in a raw and imperfect state.

He levitated, preparing to attack once more. He saw the pygmies nearing them. "Milady, can you cast support magic?"

Io nodded, her eyes changing back to heterochromic and then to both blue. She started working on another rune in silence.

"What?" He observed her from below. "She changed eye color again."

Once she was finished, Io's staff once again shimmered with energy. She pointed her staff at Joshua, and the effects carried over. Joshua would feel an immense boost in strength.

*"What is this feeling?! I am brimming with vigor!"* Joshua thought. "Thank you, milady. Now, let me finish this!" he declared as he jumped at unseen speeds and proceeded to the battlefield. At once, all of the pygmies were sliced after less than a minute had passed.

Io smiled. "Thank you, Joshua."

At an instant, he descended before Io. It seemed that he was enveloped in ether energy, thanks to her assistance as he attempted to harness the similar energy he felt since he arrived in the forest.

Io was fascinated. "A-amazing...How did you...?"

The Ether energy wasn't as compliant as Joshua might have hoped; even with Io's help, he might have felt a small twinge of pain.

Since Joshua could optimally manipulate Aetermana- basically ether with pure wavelengths, he couldn't do it the same with the forest's ether energy, which was merely in raw form. He did feel a slight headache due to the strain it took him to harness even the impurities in the energy. He placed his right palm on his forehead.

Io came running over to him, concerned. "Are you alright?" She asked, though she somewhat expected this.

"... I am fine," Joshua said. "Thank you for the support."

"No problem. Anytime." Io's eyes were still bright blue.

Joshua levitated, trying to check the remnants of the pygmies. There was none. Strange... "Hmm. Milady, let us go back to the cabin."

"Alright then." Io nodded, her eyes going back to their usual heterochromic state.

Inside the cabins, Joshua was looking around.

Io sighed, relaxing slightly, trying to calm her nerves.

Outside the cabins, a fair woman with azure hair and a royal gown was looking for someone. She was slightly worried although her current expression is noticeably bland. Behind her was a four-meter-tall pod hovering on the ground. From its intricately carved orifices glowed cyan lights, beeping in a fading manner. The presence of the pod may have caught the attention of several spirits around them.

The spirits were fascinated, but did not show their faces. They wanted to see who this stranger was.

The woman was able to sense the astral presences and the ether energy around her. She paid it no mind as she was focused in looking for someone. She walked towards the cabins in hopes of finding him or her. She knocked on the door.

"Huh?" Io walked over to the door, opening it. "Hello?"

"Greetings," the woman greeted with a slight bow.

"Hm?" Joshua noticed. As he saw the woman, he was slightly surprised. "How did she find me?"

Io waved. "Oh, hello there. Who are you, may I ask?" Io asked, politely.

"That's-"

"Caitlineia Eurius," the woman said.

"Nice to meet you!" Io smiled, curtsying slightly. "My name is Io Iapetus, but you can just call me Io."

"I see," she replied. "A pleasure." She reached out her right hand to her and smiled mildly.

Io reached out as well, and shook Caitlineia's hand.

"... Anyway, I have been looking for-" Caitlineia stopped when she glanced at Joshua. She came in.

Io moved out of Caitlineia's way, somewhat shyly.

"Caitlineia, how did you find me?" Joshua asked.
"I traced your location with the warpdrive data from the fortress."

Io listened, curiously.

"I apologize for worrying you," said Joshua as he hugged Caitlineia, showing his sincerity.

Io then wandered off into another room, minding her own business.

Joshua glanced at Io, noticing her wander off. "Will you be exploring with us for now?"

"Preferrably."

"Milady?" Joshua called.

"Hmm?" Io walked back into the room with the rest of them.

"Should we explore for a bit? Caitlineia here humbly requests so."

Io nodded, with a small smile.

Outside the cabins...

Io started down a different path, leading the others.

Joshua and Caitlineia were following suit as usual.

Soon enough, the two entered a large clearing bustling with spirits. Many turned to look at them.

Joshua was amazed by the sheer number of them. Caitlineia, on the other hand, was quiet.

The spirits quickly parted, making way for two majestic spirits, both winged ladies. Io knelt down in respect.

Joshua and Caitlineia never feared to show reverence to them by kneeling down as well.

"Oh, hello darling! Who have you brought with you?" One of ladies asked Io, motioning to the group that they could stand.

Joshua and Caitlineia stood up.

Io stepped aside, letting the guests introduce themselves.

"Thank you, milady," spoke Joshua. "I am Joshua Zephyrius of a distant world."

"Caitlineia Eurius," said Caitlineia.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Lady Tempest." The other royal spirit answered, kindly. She had flowing long hair and full white wings, invoking an angelic appearance though she was a spirit like the rest. The one who had first greeted them, though similar in appearance, had darker grey wings and short black hair. They were both wearing similar blue robes, with Lady Tempest wearing dark navy colors while the other wore a somewhat lighter sea blue.

"I must say, both of you look heavenly in all honesty," he complimented.

Caitlineia nodded in argument.

The darker spirit nodded. "Thank you. My name is Selene, by the way." She introduced herself.

"It is a pleasure to meet thee both," said Joshua.

"Nice to meet you too!" They both replied in sync. Selene smiled.

Joshua looked around the place. "May I ask you what place is this? It is a rarity in all honesty."

"This is the Ether Forest. This little spot is our center, our base if you will." Lady Tempest explained.

"I see," Joshua replied.

Selene smiled to the two, happily. "Tell me, what brings you here?" She asked the two, intrigued.

"I am here by accident."

"I looked for him," Caitlineia replied.

"Oh, okay." Lady Tempest understood.

"Thank you, miladies. It was a pleasure to see you." Io curtsied.

"Recently, there has been a short skirmish near the cabins," Joshua told them. "Surely you have heard about it."

The two both nodded. "Indeed. The visionaries are still trying to track the source of the attackers."

Joshua walked towards the royal spirits and kneeled. "I apologize greatly."

"No need to apologize. It is not your fault." Lady Tempest replied.

"Airion, Celeste, Joshua, thank you for finding off the attackers." Selene said, gratefully.

Io nodded. "We were just doing our duties."

*"Airion? Celeste?"* Joshua thought. He looked at Io. *"Hmm... She has two names. Yet calling them at once...?"*
During a flashback, he remembered Io having gray eyes instead of her usual heterochromic state. *"I'll explain later,"* she said.
*"Don't tell me... It usually sounds improbable, but with an expertise in astral manipulation, an Antiquian can...!"* Joshua was noticeably submerged in thought about Io's enigmatic existence. Caitlineia tilted her head when she saw him staring at the maiden.

Selene noticed this, but didn't say anything, deciding instead to just let him think in peace.

Joshua got aware of the situation. He turned to the two royal spirits. "... Anyway, I apologized because they are here in pursuit of me."

"Oh? What do you know about them?" Lady Tempest inquired.

Joshua's eyes glimmered in the hue of the sky. "They are xenomorphic lifeforms from our solar system. The dreaded takers of energy- the Regimenians."

"We have been battling them since four hundred years ago," Caitlineia replied. "But we have not contained them yet..."

"Takers of energy? Oh dear..." Selene seemed very off put by this.

"That is why the military coalition of our planet has been established to combat this threat," explained Joshua.

"We have a premonition of them pillaging other worlds for their sustenance. ... And it seems our fears came true."

Lady Tempest hung her head low, contemplating this. The Ether Forest contained unimaginable amounts of energy, and now these creatures knew their location... she was worried.

"Fear not, milady," Joshua told her. "As I said, there is a faction that will push them back to their world. Such a faction is named the Empyrdom of Anticytheris."

Selene and Io listened intently. Lady Tempest was still lost in thought, it seemed.

"An intergalactic faction that is moved to repel the threat of invaders in our star system," Joshua explained. "We will send a defense force here should you affirm for it."

"Thank you very much." Selene replied, with a hint of formality for a change. Io found this strange; for a ruler, Selene was very relaxed most times.

"However, in all honesty, I will avoid further collateral damage to the forest through my own forces," Joshua said. "Now, we will send them to vantage points around the forest as soon as possible."

"Thank you." Lady Tempest finally came back to the conversation at hand.

"All right, I will now-"

A large flock of birds were sent flying away from the horizon due to a sudden tremor.

"Hm?" Io's eyes darted towards that direction, then back to the two royal spirits. They nodded, and Io took off at top speed without another word.

"Milady, wait!" Joshua followed her.
Caitlineia stood there with the royals. She fitted in with them, attire-wise. "He means to send the forces. I will do it in his stead."

Io might notice that Joshua outperforms her in speed, considering he was moving at supersonic speed.

"Thank you." Lady Tempest smiled to her.

Io was nowhere near fast enough to to outrun Joshua, and he would catch up to her in mere seconds.

After he caught up to her, he moved in the same speed as Io, slightly leading at the front. He turned to Io. "Milady!"

Io looked right at him. "What is it?" She asked, trying not to blush.

"Stop for a while," he told her as he stopped running.

Io pursed her lips, but nodded in response. Protecting the forest was her job, but she didn't want to disobey him either.

"Now," Joshua said. "Do you mind if you hitch a ride on my back? This will be faster."

"Aright then." Io replied, walking up to him.

He carried her on his back. He held her slender arms with his hands.

Joshua sighed in relief as the piggyback ride was successfully prepped. "Good thing she is petite..."

He looked at the maiden. "First things first, do you feel comfortable?"

"Indeed." Io replied, somewhat blankly.

Joshua grinned. "Prepare yourself, then!" He said as he began to accelerate near the speed of sound.

Io held on tightly.

Joshua checked on Io real quick if her irises changed their color.

They hadn't; at least not yet.

Joshua kept running. As he reached Mach 1, he suddenly skidded towards a grassy field.

The grassy field was on the very edge of the forest, not too far from the river either. It was to the west, upstream from the forest.

A rampaging mammoth beast was there before them. It was a behemoth steamroller, a spearhead of the Regimenian forces.

Joshua gently placed Io down on the grass.

Io glared at the beast, with Airion and Celeste debating how to approach this.

*"Airion, listen to me. If you let me handle this, the beast will be outnumbered."*

*"Celeste, no. He won't let you, you know that. Let me help him out."*

Io wobbled for a second.

"Milady, are you all right?"

*"Airion, come on! You'll get hurt!"*

*"Speak for yourself!"*

Io stumbled, and looked like she was going to fall. Joshua might hear the two arguing at this point...

Cyan hypotrochoidal patterns manifested on both of Joshua's irises. He swiftly moved to the rescue and caught Io bridal-style by reaching his right hand across her back to her right arm while moving at unseen speeds.

It seemed Io actually had passed out, at least for a brief moment.

"Milady? Milady!"

As he was calling out, the behemoth steamroller continued rampaging. It was about to ram at the two.

"Tch!" Joshua grunted as the beast rammed through the trees. Of course, Joshua carried the maiden to safety. He was situated among plenty of trees with her.

Spirits surrounded the two of them, seemingly willing to take care of Io for him.

"Hmm?" Joshua noticed.

But, as soon as the monster crashed into the trees, Io woke up, as if recoiling in pain.

"Milady, are you all right?"

The petite mage weakly got back on her feet, her eyes morphing to both grey as she drew a rune. It seemed that Celeste had won the little dispute.

Joshua quickly flipped backwards. As his palms touched the ground and lifted his body, he went back to his standing position. He spun before Io and extended his left arm sideways, indicating a signal to her. "I will take care of this."

"And I'll help." Celeste insisted, with her signature confident smirk. Her staff crackled with raw Ether once more.

"My friends, take care of her for me," he said to the spirits. His eyes, back to their usual coldness, glanced at Io.

Io got back on track, lining up her shot carefully.

He turned back to the front and grinned. "I should remind you that I cannot bear to see a woman get hurt by a beast such as this."

"Don't worry about me." Celeste reassured him. Her voice was quite different in this state; a bit younger, much brighter.

His forearm was bent 115 degrees from his backarm which was vertically upright. As he reached for his waist and clenched his fist, a luminous projection of a sword manifested on his back, engulfed in a veil of wind. He pulled it by the handle and spun once to the left. Afterwards, he swung his sword in a normal backhand manner. At that very moment, a powerful gale of wind was released outward.

The trees danced with the rhythm of the great wind. Even the behemoth steamroller was struggling through it.

Io used a tree to help her hold her ground.

As the wind was blowing, some of his royal bearing was visibly shown here. His cyan irises glowed brighter.

```
Io watched, fascinated, but then went back to lining up her shot.

```

As the wind abruptly stopped, he swung his sword, assuming his traditional swordplay stance. "Battle." He dashed forward at Mach 1 speeds. The steamroller reacted by swinging its large right claw to the left to swoop him. However, he proved to be faster than that attack so he twirled just in time before he clashed with the claw. As a result, he tore it with a swift normal forehand slash from the enchanted broadsword- the Aetergeheim.

```
Io fired her small blast of raw Ether, aiming at the beast's face and eyes.

```

Since the beast's face is considerably small to be identified, it hit its left shoulder. Meanwhile, the claw was flung to the left. Joshua perched on a tree branch and created wind blades around it, which began to expand and lacerate its carapace with significant
damage. However, its claw was gradually regenerating from the clean cut. Its enormous and hard carapace protected its innards from any harm but the wind blades were strong enough to scratch it. It charged towards Io who was few meters away from it.

Io saw this, but didn't move fast enough to get out of the way. She attempted to fire another blast of Raw Ether to defend herself, though it was a rather weak attack.

The beast was hit but it didn't flinch as it withstood the attack because of its scales.

"Not in my sight, you fiend," Joshua spoke as his cyan eyes glowed brightly again. His sword seemingly disappeared in thin air. He glided towards Io at the same speed as he was back then and grabbed her away to her right side by his using his left arm to move her by her abdomen- just in time as the beast charged towards their former position in less than two seconds.

"T-thank you..." Io replied, getting back up. She then let out a rather loud whistle, and within a moment or two spirits started to come to their side. Many of them had staffs, though some had other transparent weapons. Io was carefully examining the beast to look for any weak points, any gaps in its hard scales.

Its weak points were its supple joints and the hole where its head was lurking beneath its exoskeleton.

As Io was put down on the grass, Joshua used his free right hand to push his body upwards as soon as he decelerated. As a result, he flipped forward and sustained his flight with his own magic. He then landed behind the beast which was charging towards the same direction as to where Joshua was facing right now. He extended his right foot forward as his cyan irises glowed brighter.

Io seemed to notice that the joints were its weak spot. She turned around, relaying this information to the spirits, before all of them took aim.

Joshua's foot was enveloped in a strange cyan lightning-like aura (which can only be seen by fellow Antiquians or certain entities that are naturally born to manipulate ether or any form of ethereal energy) jumped to the beast and glided to the front at the same speed, but not too far from the hole of the beast. Afterwards, he slammed his right foot towards the hole which struck its head inside.

Suddenly, a large volley of attacks was fired at the beast's hind legs, aiming at the joints. There were elemental attacks, raw Ether, and some strange transparent arrows.

Just in time as the volleys struck the beast's joints, Joshua reappeared behind Io. The beast released a small blue energy explosion upon contact with all of those projectiles. However, it was mainly because of Joshua's attack back then. The body of the beast crumbled into fine purple dust.

Io was shocked, her eyes wide.

"Hmph," he mouthed, seemingly confident with their victory. She would likely notice him already behind her.

"Hm? Oh!" Io turned around to see him. She bowed slightly. "Thank you, Joshua." Her eyes faded back to their heterochromic state as she did so.

Joshua placed his right hand on her head. "Nice work, milady."

Io blushed slightly. "Oh, I did next to nothing." She admitted, somewhat embarrassed.

Joshua smiled mildly. "No, you did good. You diverted the beast from its trail."

"If you didn't, we wouldn't finish this quickly with a flair."

Io looked up at him, blushing a little bit more. *Poor Io.*

"Now then, let us report to the rulers, shall we?"

Io nodded in agreement. The spirits gathered around, praising their new hero. Io chuckled slightly at this.

In the clearing, Joshua knelt before the two royal spirits. Of course, Io will be with him in this situation.

Io was with him, and once again knelt before the two ladies.

"Miladies, the threat has been eliminated," Joshua said. "And here are the remains." He carried a sack full of the purple dust.

Caitlineia stood there, smiling beside the ladies. "I knew you both could do it."

Io smiled, nodding to Caitlineia. "Thank you."

Selene approached Joshua, taking the sack in hand. It seemed she could at least handle objects, despite being a spirit.

"You are free to use it by will," Joshua told the two royal spirits. "It is certainly useful in alchemy as it is sometimes used as catalysts by the alchemists in my world."

"Intriguing..." Selene opened the pouch, examining the dust inside. "Thank you. We will certainly find use for it."

"Always a pleasure."

"You two must be tired after that battle. Do you need some rest?" Lady Tempest asked, seemingly concerned about Joshua's well being.

"I am sure that will help."

"Io, will you lead him back to the cabins, then?" Lady Tempest asked. Io nodded.

"Thank you very much," Joshua replied.

"I will go back to Zephyeur and prepare our room," Caitlineia told him. "Make sure you do not get into trouble."

"Thanks, Sylf."

"Take care." Caitlineia walked away to the chassis.

Io waved goodbye to the two ladies, and Caitlineia. Lady Tempest and Selene waved back, before Io led the way back to the cabins.

"They are so hospitable," he commented. "Needless to say, they are no doubt gorgeous. They can compare with the women in our world."

chuckled slightly at this. She kind of pictured the comparison, with Selene's perfect short, bobbed haircut versus Io's long unruly hair that honestly looked like a mess.

He glanced at her. "Hmm, I like your style as well even though some may perceive you differently."

```
Io chuckled again, blushing some. "Aww, thanks..."

```

As they reached the cabins, he continued to talk. "Your wavy hair complements with your young visage. I think some lack taste with the result but I can see you well."

Io looked away, embarrassed. As they entered the cabins, Io showed Joshua another room with a much bigger bed for him.

"Thank you, milady," he said.

"Anytime." Io then walked out, looking for a place to meditate while he rested.

It was late afternoon. Joshua took a nap to restore his energy. When he woke up early evening, he exited the cabins and sat on the roof to keep watch.

As he walked out of his room, he would see that the spirits had set out fruits, berries and flowers for him to express their thanks.

"Oh, my humble thanks."

The fruit they had left for him was a strange variety; apparently it was a local kind.

*"Looks like they have given me their best. These are kind of similar from our world."* When he took a bite from the berries, they tasted exotic- similar to...Lac berries?!
"Interesting!"

Indeed, they were quite similar. When he went outside, he would find Io meditating off near the treeline.

He carefully glided on one of the trees and kept watch over her. He cast a spell unto himself to blend with the winds themselves [Silent Stratos].

Io was deeply focused, her eyes closed and her back straight. She was meditating on top of a rather intricate rune, that cast a relaxing aura over the area.

Joshua flew to the front, still unseen. He could see Io's face few meters away from the tree he just perched on. *"I see... Of course, entities that manipulate ether must also meditate for that matter."*

It seemed that the spirits had left Io a little bit of fruit too; she didn't seem to notice.

Joshua, still blending with the wind, glided to a tree not far away from the front of Io. "I better keep watch for now. Disturbing her will not bode well."

Truthfully, Io had been meditating for as long as she needed to; she was going to get up soon.

To surprise her after she meditates, he stealthfully manifested behind her. Their backs were facing each other. As he began meditating as well, the winds grew stronger from time to time.

"Hm?" Io noticed this, but didn't mind it. She went back to meditating, rather happy to have company.

Joshua opened his eyes, silently reacting to her sharp perception. "You are sharp, milady."

Io was too deep into her meditation to answer him, but he might feel her relax and smile a bit.

He was comforted by even an implicit response. He continued to meditate as the wind danced with his power.

The rune underneath the two of them started to glow brighter. The relaxing aura it was giving off was growing stronger.

Joshua's concentration was enhanced by this. It helped him to manipulate Aetermana and other types of ethereal energy better, even by just a small margin.

The focus also helped Io to replenish her pure Ether; that's why she needed to meditate. Joshua might feel this energy flowing around him, enveloping him. Since it was pure, it wouldn't hurt him like raw Ether did.

A surge of ether enveloped Joshua. This is mostly because of his immense ether capacity.

This surge somewhat startled Io, and her focus broke for a moment. She slowly got back into her meditative state soon after.

The time was nearing seven at night. Joshua opened his eyes as the surge was suppressed.

Io didn't get very far before she felt that she had meditated long enough. She slowly got up, trying not to disturb Joshua. She realized that the spirits had left her some fruit, more specifically two Niko fruit native to the forest. She smiled.

"Took you long enough, milady," he said as he was already done. His meditation was quite fast due to the forest's tranquility, although this usually happens in any suitable place in his homeworld.

Io chuckled. "Nice of you to join us. Did you sleep well?"

"Thanks to you and your rulers, I have."

Io blushed slightly, picking up the fruit the spirits left for her.

"Speaking of those fruits," he spoke. "They are slightly similar to the fruits we have in my world."

"Oh, really? Wow..." The fruits she had were larger, orange colored yet pear shaped.

Joshua observed the night sky. "Milady, it is getting late. Should we go back and dine?"

"Hm? Oh, okay!" Io said, enthusiastically.

In the cabins...

Io sat down at the small, old table, relaxing slightly. She had brought over the fruits the spirits brought both of them.

As he dined with her, some thoughts moved him to tell something to her. "Milady."

"Yes?"

"Lately, I have been telling you about my world. Something encourages me to go deeper about it. Would you care to listen?"

Io nodded, happily.

"... I am from a distant planet of long-living humans. It is named Antiquus."

Io listened intently as she ate her fruit.

"We were recently being attacked by those fiends, the Regimenians, who sought to take energy for their sustenance. However, they were also natural foes since four hundred years ago."

*"Should I explicitly reveal my royalty? Hmm.... Not yet."* "I have come here by accident from a certain problem in self-transportation."

"Oh, I see..." Io nodded.

"You might not understand it, but is called a warp drive. I myself can do so with my evident speed in order to travel to many places personally."

Joshua straightened up his seat. "I intended to go to a planet called Mobius to meet with a certain faction for a management discussion. But here I am, lazing around..."

"Oh? Io looked almost ashamed of herself. "I-I won't keep you then, if you have things to attend to..."

"No, it is all right," Joshua said. "The discussion is merely for events far ahead. It can be arranged at any point of time."

Io sighed in relief. "Okay..."

"In exchange for that, would you mind if you tell me more...about yourself?"

Io looked a bit surprised, since she didn't even know where to start. Her face was red. "Well..." She started, still thinking about how to explain.

Joshua observed her reddened face. "Hmm, I seemed to have taken up something sensitive... My apologies."

"No, it's alright. I just wasn't expecting it." Io reassured him.

"I see... Then we shall carry on, if you do not mind."

"It was about 100 years ago, when this little gathering of cabins was home to the mystics. They had come to see the spirits... but didn't know what they were doing. Since they cut down the local trees to build here, relations were... tense." Io started her story, seemingly not knowing how to word the last part.

"Granted that the forest are your home, it is your sworn duty to protect it," he replied.

"Back then, we were just two separate spirits, going about our lives. But, when one of the boys that lived here tried to summon us, he made a mistake in his spell... and this happened instead." Io explained, tapping her wrist lightly.

"I see...!" he spoke. "So they were those who are responsible for your sudden change of personality and eye color. I could hear them... bickering, too. They are like sisters to me."

Io blushed, very shyly.

"Milady, are you all right?"

Io nodded, getting over herself. "Anyways. When the spirits could no longer find the two of us, they blamed the mystics. They were furious."

Joshua continued to listen intently. He was quite interested to know the maiden better.

"We ended up staying a night or two with this family here, before taking off back into the forest to quell the spirits' anger."

"Mm-hm."

Joshua continued to eat some fruits while listening.

He would find that the fruits were made of hollow wedges, each filled with juice. It was very sweet.

"Once the spirits realized that we were more or less alright, they stopped attacking the mystics. They were fascinated, wanting to know what happened. Once we explained, we once again found our place among the spirits as their guardian."

"Interesting- these fruits and your kin."

Io smiled. "Thank you."

"You are most welcome, milady," he replied. He stood up, getting ready to groom himself before bedtime. "I'll be grooming up before bedtime."

"Alright then." Io stood up as well. "I'll be heading out to see the spirits again." She smiled, waving goodbye before heading outside.

"At this late at-- Well, never mind." Joshua went inside his room and took a glass with clear water to clean his mouth. As he finished cleaning, he hopped to his bed and took some time to ponder on what happened today.
*"This place is interesting... So are the spirits, much more Lady Io. I must be enthusiastic in every moment here in this forest as I continue to protect it from the Myriad."*

The following day, it was a morning with a bright sunrise.

When Joshua awoke, he would find runes on the floor next to him. Since it was a cold night last night, the spirits left a rune that warmed the room up a bit.

He had seen it when he awoke at the fall of dawn. He was not there in the room at sunrise.

It seemed that he was standing in the middle of the clearing, waiting for something to come.

Io was back just in time, it seemed. Within a moment or two, she poked out from the treeline.

Joshua could sense her presence from not too far. "Do you need something, milady?"

Io shook her head no. "How are you?" She asked, smiling slightly.

"I am well. Truly, I am grateful for your concern."

"Great." Io answered, blushing slightly.

"In all honesty, I am waiting for a transport to arrive. I need some forces to build their defenses around this forest."

Io tilted her head slightly to the side, seemingly curious.

Joshua finally caught sight of a UFO-like pod gliding from afar. "It has come."

Io watched, both fascinated and confused.

"Come, milady."

Io tried to hide the fact that she was blushing, but she did what she was told. She followed Joshua, happily.

The pod docked before the two, hovering 11 feet from the ground. It unloaded a strange mech standing at 7 feet through its data transport module. The mech appeared first in its data signatures and materialized back into its original form upon completely reaching the ground.

Io seemed mesmerized by this, and watched in awe.

"The transport is a peregrine chassis," explained Joshua. "It just unloaded a Materia downloader that will take care of the construction."

"Okay." Io replied, nodding.

The Materia downloader received its orders and was loaded back again. It was transported to higher ground to find vantage points.

As it was unloaded again to a cliff, it began transporting materials from another dimension to its current location. These materials were being molded into a perfectly shaped structure and added with details through the downloader's melding coil.

Io seemed fascinated, and rather curious as well.

Joshua stood still and began to utter an incantation to call the two royal spirits. "Gentle light and darkness, I request to manifest yourselves from the astral plane!"

Io seemed to understand this, and held out her staff, the dangling charm giving off a bright glow. Within mere moments, the royals answered his call, appearing in a flash of light.

As he beheld their presence, he kneeled immediately before them. "I am glad you have come, miladies."

Io kneeled down as well, laying her staff on the ground next to her.

"Hello darlings. How are you?" Lady Tempest asked, with a radiant smile that made her angelic aura seem even brighter.

"Most fine, milady," Joshua told her. "As promised, I have began the construction of the forest's defensive perimeter from the Empyrdom."

"Thank you." Selene answered, with an affirmative nod. She seemed a bit tired, as she was a night spirit and usually was sleeping right about then.

"That is about it. I apologize for the interference," Joshua told them.

"Oh, don't worry about it." Lady Tempest answered.

Selene reminded the two of them.

"My utmost gratitude is upon you," Joshua thanked them.

Without another word, the two waved goodbye and floated off. Selene phases into the ground as she did so, heading back to the Ether Links to sleep.

Soon, they might hear something little rustling in the leaves...

Joshua's eyes glowed cyan at the response of the stimulus. He turned to a probable source of the sound. "Hmm."

It seemed to be coming from a low hanging branch, shaking as if something was in it. Joshua might see a little flash of purple in between the leaves.

He could clearly see the entity from afar. He observed it carefully.

The figure was gazing at the cabins, seemingly unaware she was being watched.

Joshua walked near the tree with the branch that the figure was on. "Milady, can you see that?" He asked Io.

"Huh?" Io turned towards the branch. She then approached, slowly. She then held her staff out towards the branch, as if the knew what was there. "Hello?"

A shrunken human girl, with fluffy purple hair and dark red eyes, slowly peeked out from the leaves, making her way down from the branch onto her staff.

"A... minute being?" Joshua wondered.

"Hello, little one." Io greeted the small woman, smiling as she brought her staff back down to her side. "The spirits told me about you."

"H-hello?" The girl replied, somewhat meekly.

"It speaks!" he blurted out as he was slightly startled.

The little girl laughed, a bit nervous but also quite entertained.

"Who are you?" Io asked, holding the miniscule human up to her face.

"My name's Alaine!" The woman replied.

"Peculiar yet fascinating," said Joshua. "I am Joshua Zephyrius of a distant world."

"Nice to meet you!" Alaine waved to him, with a beaming smile.

"Another interesting one, I see," Joshua said. "Where is your abode?"

"Huh? This way!" Alaine pointed, and Io happily followed. It was towards a different cabin in the same clearing.

Joshua was slightly surprised as to how she had a cabin just nearby. He walked to said cabin with the two.

When they walked inside, Alaine climbed down from Io's staff and led the way. She scampered towards a vase, with a small hole broken in the bottom.

"How endearing..." Joshua complimented on how adorable her abode was- an old, intricate vase.

Alaine walked into the small hole. If the two looked in from the top, they would see that the inside was even more charming. Inside, there was a miniature bed made from pine needles and fabric scraps, and a small pile of scrounged up food.

"Well-made!" Joshua exclaimed. "It amazes me that you built a lush haven inside a porcelain vase!"

Alaine chuckled. "Aww, thanks..."

Io smiled. "How sweet."

Joshua thought of an idea. "It inspires me... to innovate it."

Alaine tilted her head, curiously.

"Do you mind if I tidy up your place a bit?"

"Oh, sure! That sounds like fun!" Alaine cheered. *What a giddy little creature.*

"Thank you," Joshua said. "I shall be back after a while. I will get few things to make it neat." He turned to Io. "Please take care of her for me, milady." He then disappeared in the wind.

Io nodded to him, reassuringly. She seemed fascinated when he disappeared, but quickly relaxed.

Few minutes later, Joshua reappeared beside Io, carrying small vines and a leaf on his hand.

"Oh! Hello again." Io seemed rather surprised by his sudden appearance, but calmed down quickly.

Io and Alaine had been sharing another piece of fruit, while Alaine told Io all about herself. Alaine seemed to be kind of a mystery, having landed nearby a few days ago. She had wandered into the forest, with no idea where she was or where she had come from.

"Alaine, please use this leaf to place your food on," Joshua said. "These vines I have are usually for design but you can use them as emergency exits if the need arises."

"Okay, thank you!" Alaine nodded, placing her food on her leaf. She mostly had berries.

Joshua placed the vines on the top rim of the vase.

Alaine was starry eyed. "It's beautiful!"

"Thank you for the praise," Joshua replied. "It is wonderful to help by innovating the place a bit."

Alaine went to hug Joshua, though all she could manage to do was wrap her arms around his finger. *How cute.*

Io smiled, chuckling slightly at the sight.

Joshua smiled at the sight of Alaine hugging his left index finger. He gently pet her head with his right index finger.

Alaine blushed, and laughed slightly. What a happy little creature...

Joshua placed his left index finger on the table where the vase was on, to let Alaine back on her house.

Alaine let go of him, walking back into her newly fixed up home. She flopped over onto the makeshift bed, looking around at the new additions.

It was then that Io had an idea, looking at Alaine's makeshift bed of pine needles and grasses. Without a word, she got up, looking around the cabin for something.

"Hmm," Joshua mouthed.

*"Aelie, can you perceive me well?"* a telepathic message was sent in his head.
*"Yes, Sylph,"* telepathized Joshua.
*"The construction of the defense is almost done."*
*"I see. Thank you."* Joshua turned to Io. "Milady, I will be going out for a moment."

"Okay then. Fare well." Io said goodbye with a wave.

Joshua disappeared into thin air afterwards.

Meanwhile, Io walked back over to Alaine, holding a cloth pouch about Alaine's size. She was thinking Alaine could stuff it to make something a bit nicer to sleep on.

He reappeared above the clearing to check the field. It seemed that the whole perimeter was surrounded with deviation substrates after an hour of construction.

Some spirits were shyly hiding and watching nearby, seemingly fascinated.

The Materia downloader hovered back to the clearing where it was meant to go to after construction.

Joshua descended. The downloader, being an automated machine, 'beeped in praise' before him.

A young spirit was particularly close, watching Joshua and the Materia downloader. The boy seemed amazed.

Joshua sensed the spirit boy nearby. He looked at him and smiled. He signalled him to come near.

The child scurried over to Joshua's side, looking up at him.

"What do you think, my boy?"

"This is so cool... what is it?" The boy asked, looking at the Materia downloader. He was short, with spiky pitch black hair, and a small dark brown cowl covering his shoulders.

"It is a construct made to build things... Like those," Joshua told him before pointing at a deviation substrate nearby. It was merely as big as a quarter of a large bedroom but towers over two stories.

"Whoa...!"

"This will protect the forest from anyone who invades it. There are many of these towers around here, built for everyone living here."

"Oh, thank you!" The boy answered, floating up to hug Joshua. He was acting just as childish as he looked.

He rubbed the boy's head. It seemed that he also has a soft spot for children...

The boy then waved goodbye and floated away, joining a few other boys as they looked at the deviation substrates.

"As a defender of this place, I must keep my promise... To be their last hope." Joshua noticed the peregrine chassis landing near them. Its shields were heavily battered but its frame was unfazed. It loaded the downloader to its lattice core.

"Hm... Its shields are drained. Did someone attack...?"

The substrates were alerted by the presence of the invaders which caused them to retaliate with their particle cannons.

The spirits joined in the retaliation with elemental blasts, using the fire from the particle cannons as a guide.

Joshua teleported to the cabins and checked if Io and Alaine were still there.

They were, indeed. They seemed to be working on Alaine's little home together now.

"Milady, are you okay? We are under fire."

As soon as she heard "under fire", Io jumped right out of her seat, bolting out of the cabin to see what was happening.

"They have come again," Joshua said.

Alaine looked confused. Not wanting to be left out, she scrambled to catch up to Io.

```
There were those carrion pygmies again.

```

Something crashed behind the cabins.

Io heard the crash, and went to investigate.

Joshua held the top of the cabin's doorpost and jumped to the roof whilst creating a curved trajectory towards it, causing him to land safely on both feet while in a sitting position.

Alaine looked lost; there was too much going on.

Io looked up at Joshua, nodding to show she appreciated his support.

Joshua raised his right eyebrow once while looking at Io. He then glided towards the wake of the crash.

Io followed close behind.

A strange humanoid with iridescent purple scales emerged from the debris. "That was quite the effort..."

"You must be..." Joshua speculated. "Vermudegarii, is it not?"

Io looked at the humanoid, her expression stern as her eyes faded to both grey.

"We meet again, Joshua Zephyrius," the humanoid spoke.

"Why have you come here?" Celeste asked, fiercely.

"It seems I have finally found... a comparably quality lifeform. We shall test your mettle!" Vermudegarii exclaimed. His arm scales protruded into what seemed to be blades.

"Tch," Joshua grunted. "Milady, do be careful." He reached for his right waist with his right hand.

Io gripped her staff in both hands, preparing herself.

Joshua unsheathed his Aetergeheim from a veil of wind which in turn released a strong gale around them. Vermudegarii struggled to maintain balance. "These winds...!"

Io was caught off guard by this, and ended up getting knocked right off her feet. She fell forwards.

Joshua brandished his broadsword. He then noticed Io on the ground. "Oh. I'm sorry, milady."

Io got back onto her feet. "It's alright."

The strong winds stopped immediately after he brandished his sword. He then assumed his traditional swordplay stance.

Io took a deep breath, steadying herself and positioning her staff as if preparing to draw a rune.

Vermudegarii's scales were flowing with electricity. He then launched a wave of it at Joshua.
Joshua rushed to defend Io, causing him to take the electricity full on but without any consequence to him. "Now, milady!"

Io quickly drew a rune for a basic Ether attack, and lined up her shot before firing.

Joshua charged at Vermudegarii, effortless tanking those electric attacks. He then clashed with him in close combat.

Meanwhile, Alaine had taken some refuge in the underbrush. She was watching the fight closely.

Io then strafed to the side of the clash, aiming and firing a continuous stream of small ether bursts at Vermudegarii. (About 2 per second)

Joshua locked attacks with Vermudegarii. The small ether bursts struck him, releasing sparks from his scales. However, he was not quite hurt due to the durability of his scales. Joshua took advantage of the visual interference regardless and forced his sword upwards which caused them to release each other's positions. Vermudegarii's arms were sent upwards and Joshua sent a normal forehand swing, following a horizontal backhand swing at him, sending him away on the grass.

Alaine was looking for any gaps in Vermudegarii scales, hopefully from battle damage.

Io took advantage of Vermudegarii being sent away, and quickly drew another rune before giving chase.

As Vermudegarii was sent flying, he landed on his back while flipping backwards which allowed him to move his body back in upright position. His torso's damaged scales emitted hot steam. He retracted something from his back.
Joshua brandished his sword again. He held it with both hands while it directly pointed downwards.

Alaine start to work her way ever closer to Vermudegarii, climbing up in a tree as she did so.

Vermudegarii released a stream of gray fog in the area. Joshua looked like he was separating something by force. Afterwards, the fog thinnens redirects back at Vermudegarii.

Alaine couldn't see a thing. She ended up losing her balance, falling from her perch with an unmistakable high-pitched squeak.

Joshua caught a visual of the familiar purple glint falling from the tree after the fog passed by the tree. "Alaine!" He reached for both of his waists and zoomed towards her in supersonic speeds. He reached forth his right hand to the small creature and gently closed his palm halfway. As he was traveling at that speed, he flipped forwards until he stepped on the tree and jumped back in place at the front of Vermudegarii.

Alaine landed safely in his hands, still writhing and panicking until she realized she was safe. For a second, she thought she was dead. But, apparently not; she then put together that Joshua had saved her. She looked overjoyed; words could not express how thankful the little one was.

He opened his right palm. "Are you all right?"

Alaine nodded, smiling. "Thank you!" She answered, quickly climbing up onto Joshua's shoulder.

Joshua sighed in relief. "What were you doing, by the way..?"

"I-I was trying to help... I was going to see if I could get the drop on this guy." Alaine explained, innocently.

"I see. Be careful next time. My speed may come in handy but I am not always there to save you, all right?"

"Okay!" Alaine nodded.

"Hold on tight," Joshua told her as he unsheathed his Aetergeheim back. Now it was... two swords?!

Alaine did as she was told, keeping a tight grip on Joshua's shoulders.

Io might notice the swords being different and Joshua assuming his traditional swordplay stance which is now slightly different due to him wielding two swords instead of one big-ass large broadsword.

Io noticed, and found it rather intriguing.

Vermudegarii scoffed. "Have at you, then!" He exclaimed as he charged towards Joshua while he was electrified.

Io was still for a second or two, changing to Airion. After that, she quickly traced the same support rune she had demonstrated before, and carried its effects over to Joshua.

Joshua's blue irises glowed cyan- his Tachyon Eyes manifesting. He then zoomed towards Vermudegarii at almost hypersonic speeds this time. The first time they exchanged blows in this moment, they clashed. However, Vermudegarii could not keep up with Joshua's speed, causing him to take full blows from his Tachyon Multi-Edge, a series of tachyon-powered slashes from his dual Aetergeheim. Vermudegarii was then sent flying towards a tree.

Airion followed up with another rune, one for vines. She aimed at the tree, and fired. If Vermudegarii hit the tree, then vines would start to wrap around and tie him to it.

Vermudegarii's eyes flashed. "Useless." His blades retract and puncture the vines.

Io hissed in disapproval. The vines fell away from him.

"I am quite.... challenged!" Vermudegarii exclaimed as he put nis hands on the trunk of the tree he landed on. It could be seen that the tree is gradually losing its vitality.

Io recoiled, seemingly in pain. She was connected to the forest; this hurt her too.

Joshua came over to Io. "Milady, are you okay?"

Io shook her head no, holding her head in both hands. She had dropped her staff.

"Milady!"
Vermudegarii had already siphoned the energy from the tree, causing it to lose its leaves. His damaged scales regenerated and shone more brightly under the sky.

As soon as Vermudegarii was finished, Io seemed to recover. She coughed, weakly.

"Alaine, could you distract him for me?" Joshua requested. "Or at least find a way to engage him."

Alaine nodded, climbing out from the little fold in the fabric she had gotten wedged into. She quickly crawled down, landing on the ground, looking up at Vermudegarii with a confident smirk. Her fangs gleamed in the sunlight.

Joshua held Io's right hand with his left hand and hovered his right palm on it. "Tachyon Magic..."

A cyan aura enveloped Io after a cyan magic circle manifested below Joshua's right palm. This skill, called the Tachyon Catalysm, speeds up regeneration processes as well as the recovery of energy.

Io took a deep breath. "Thank you."

"HEY!" Alaine shouted at Vermudegarii to get his attention.

"Hmm?" Vermudegarii noticed. He tried to look at Alaine if he could see her. There was a moment of silence.

He could probably see Alaine, just a little speck of purple.

The wind blew so softly... Vermudegarii had an annoyed expression.

Alaine slowly approached him, more so trying to distract him then to attack.

"What are you, anyway?" Vermudegarii spoke. "You are wasting my time."

Joshua followed with a Tachyon Kick to his face which made him crash through the dead tree. "Kgh!"

Joshua landed on the ground on both feet after flipping backwards. "Exactly."

Io got back up, slowly, trying to focus.

Alaine smirked, darting over. She wanted to follow up with an attack of her own, but she realized a bit too late; the scales. She couldn't pierce them.

TO BE CONTINUED...