“Don’t Fear God”

"In a strange world like this, there's surely something useful to use as a weapon."

The Leader lead the group throughout the carnival, the smell of deep fried delights and candy filling the air, the sounds of cheers and songs heard, everyone was simply enjoying themselves.

The group searched around at the many stalls and booths, people selling jewelry, antiques, all sorts of things. Nico noticed something that specifically caught his eye, a bottle of a strange acidic liquid.

"Hey, what's this?"

He asked the salesman, an old man, seemingly at his last days, sitting there weakly as he looked up at Nico with his shriveled old eyes.

"Ah.. It's a special brew, called lightning in a bottle.. It explodes in an electrical discharge when thrown, I'd be careful with that.."

Nico tilted his head, before opening the latch on his prosthetic, and removing his explosive canister. He compared the two liquids side to side, before slipping the canister back in.

"I wouldn't mind buying it.. I don't have any money though."

The old man smiled, shaking his head, as he looked around himself, before reaching for something under his booth table.

"Ah, don't worry about it.. Young man, let me tell you.. I was once a great inventor, but now I'm standing on my last leg.. I see in you what I saw in myself back then.. I want you to have this."

The old man took a large book out, blowing the dust off of it, before slowly handing it to Nico. He looked down at the book, wiping off the remaining dust to reveal the title. It seemed like a book of recipes, and inventions of the old man.

"Huh… Thanks, old man."

He gave the man a handshake, before walking off, flipping through the books pages, as through plot he just happened to find the page consisting of the liquid's recipe.

"Hey Nico..!"

Well reading, he was suddenly called out to, startled as he looked back to Rowlocus, who had a sword held in the air.

"Look what I fou- AHH!"

The sword's blade suddenly lit in flames as Rowlocus ran around frantically, screaming as Lucy came to chase her.

"WAIT, CALM DOWN..-!!!"

Nico groaned to the event, chasing after her as well, The Leader instead merely window shopping as he ignored the shenanigans.

Once everyone was calmed down, they grouped back together. Everyone had gotten something they wanted, as Nico now held the flaming sword, turning on the flames as he twirled it around.

"Nico, be careful with that, this place is a bit crowded..!"

They walked through the streets of the carnival, Lucy scolding Nico as he sighed and extinguished it, sheathing it in his newly gained sheath.

"I guess it'll help, but I'm still not sure on this… Wait, why do I have to fight them, both of you have more training then I do, and you guys have fucking magic..!"

The Leader chuckled, patting Nico on the back, as Lucy realized how dumb that sounded as well, looking up at The Leader as she waited for his explenation.

"Well, Ryoto.. in all honestly you're currently the weakest in the whole team. Even Lucy's one of the weaker members, yet she'd beat you with ease. How will you ever got strong unless you proce your strength..?"

Nico looked down, nodding as he rested his hand on the pummel of his sword.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

The Leader nodded, walking back in the lead, as Nico kept looking down as he walked, having an odd feeling within him.

He suddenly stopped, the rest of the group not realizing as his surroundings became a blur, movement as if in slow motion.

"Huh..?"

He looked around in confusion, it's as if time slowed down yet he remained the same, as he looked over to a dark alleyway, two purple eyes seen through the shadows.

"Hello..? The fuck's going on…"

He slowly walked towards the eyes, unsheathing his sword as he was readied to attack anything what might come to him.

As he entered the darkness, the eyes becaming easy to see with each step, as slowly he was able to see a face, then a body. It seemed to be a doll, it's skin pale and plastic, as it had beautiful wavy black hair.

It sat on the ground, a carpet placed in front of them with a ritual symbol drawn on it. Nico crouched down to the dolls level, staring into it's eyes.

"Hello, Ryoto."

A voice suddenly called out to Nico, as he jumped in shock, almost having a heart attack as he held his chest. He looked even closer to the doll, slowly reaching to it.

The doll suddenly lashed out it's hand, grabbing Nico's as it shook hands with him, Nico absolutely startled as his blade was held up.

"What the hell..!?"

He breathed heavily, a giggle heard as the doll began standing up. It wore a tight maroon dress, as well as two rings on one hands which they'd cling together.

"No need to be afraid.. I am Morell. I've heard you require a.. weapon."

Nico stood back up, taking steps back as he stared in shock, rubbing his eyes though it seemed he wasn't illusioning anything.

"Wh..- Who the fuck are you, and why's everyone frozen!?"

Morell sighed, applying a dark red lipstick as she shook her head. She grabbed Nico's wrist gently, pulling it closer as she spread out his fingers.

"Listen, I can grant you a great ability, you'll surely attain your goals through such.. Do you accept..?"

She placed her hand on his, one of her rings glowing a subtle purple hue, as Nico looked down to it, intruged. He took a deep breath, questioning his choices before nodding.

"Yes, I do.."

Morell smiled, as the ritual circle on the carpet suddenly glowed a bright purple, a loud humming heard as Nico's eyes widened.

In a sudden blink, it all disappeared. Nico's ears rung for a moment before turning to normal, the sounds of crowds and music heard once again. He rubbed his eyes, his vision returning, as he was back in the middle of the street.

"Nico, what're you waiting for..?? Hurry up..!"

Lucy called out to him, as he snaped out of his trance, catching up with the group.

"Sorry.."

The two giggled as they continued walking, Nico looking around constantly, before glancing down, a purple light seen subtly from his sword's shesth, as he pulled out the sword.

A symbol was imbedded into the blade, along with text of an unknown alphabet, Nico left perplexed as his grip tightened..

"I feel like.. I should know who that was…"