Light Drizzle
Next day rolled around and I carefully removed myself from the 3, as I made breakfast, I asked Monica
[Have you kept an eye out on Hayabusa village?]
-I have, no sign of Doku or any attempt on the dark dragon blade
[…Monica, will I be able to go through with my plan?]
-I think you will be ok, your soul is strong enough to overcome nearly anything, Unyielding truly is a miracle worker
[So…It's likely then?]
-Almost a guarantee
[Perfect]
I am taking the dark dragon blade for myself, I need a proper sword anyways, an "Evil" blade should be good enough
-How quaint, your friends all use "Righteous" swords yet you will use an "Evil" blade
[Should I have been a villain?]
-It wouldn't suit ya
[Yeah, maybe…how do you think Fi will react?]
-Will she react? It would be worth a laugh
[…Hey Monica?]
-Yes master?
[Thank you, I have been relying on you every since I got here, and you have never asked for anything in return, thank you for guiding me…without you, I'd likely have died or been unable to save anyone…]
-…It's my pleasure master
I felt a soft hug, so I returned it
-…Thank you master…
During breakfast, everyone was enjoying themselves when I got a text, it was from Chun-Li
"Check the news"
The pit became worse and I turned the tv on
"Dragons attack! Thousands deaths!"
That was the damn slogan I saw the second I got to the news, all cities in the kingdom had been attacked suddenly by dragons, no one knew where they came from or why they attacked, a vast majority of the dragons were pushed back but a few died, they were all Manaketes, thankfully none I recognized but, this made me realize it was option one
[Someone is trying to provoke a war between Manaketes and the rest of the kingdom…]
-Master
I looked back and saw both Tiki and Myrrh horrified at the news, I quickly hugged both
-This isn't your fault, don't look like that ok?
-…Were…we…
-…Going to do that?
-It doesn't matter! Anything you might have done while you had NO consciousness or free will is meaningless!
They hugged me back terrified
[Monica! Aura!]
-On it!
This time it took me by surprise since I saw 2 purple wings emerge from my back and cover both manaketes, their expressions visibly eased as Leona got close
-Same culprit?
-Yeah…I'm gonna call Chun-Li, I told ya about her remember?
-Indeed…Can she help?
-She is from Interpol, this info is incredibly important, while I won't let her take Myrrh and Tiki, she should be able to inform her superiors about this and the info can be passed
-Then call, I will tell Zelda and the others
-Thank you
I contacted Chun-Li
-You saw?
-All of it! It's a conspiracy!
-Explain
-I have 2 manaketes with me, 2 little girls, they were brainwashed and I had to put up a lot of effort into freeing them, brainwashed dragons have a dark aura around them, you can see it in the recordings!
-Slow down! You have those dragons with you?
-Manaketes Chun-Li, they are a sentient human like race that can turn into dragons, they are incredibly powerful, but they require a stone to transform, take the stone and they are powerless, the point is, someone brainwashed the Manaketes and is trying to start a war having them take the fall!!
-…Where are you keeping the Manaketes?
-My home, I will text you the address
-Eric, are you absolutely certain of what you are claiming?
-Positive
-Understood, I'll be there soon
I texted her and then told both girls
-A friend of mine will arrive soon, she will help clear your names, then, with her help, we will find the evil person who caused this ok?
-…
-…Sorry…
-Don't apologize, none of this is your fault, I'll be by your side ok? Don't be afraid
-Er-Er…
-Big brother…
I smiled and patted both their heads
-It'll be fine
After a bit, Zelda busted into the room and hugged both Manaketes, at least her introductions was enough to get both to start laughing again, we patiently waited until I was called by reception that Chun-Li had arrived, alongside some officers, I went down to receive them
-Eric
-Chun-Li, seems like we are meeting quite often for stuff unrelated to KoF
-Indeed, if I didn't know any better, I would think you are trying to catch my attention
Glad to see she is in a joking mood, means that she believed me, I smirked
-Why not? A beautiful badass fighter? Worth getting into shit to catch her eye
She smirked and nearly laughed
-You have a hell of a sense of humor Eric, shall we go?
-Follow me people!
Once up, I introduced everyone
-2 girlfriends huh?
-I can't believe my luck either
-And yet you still flirted with me?
-You were quite receptive weren't ya?
We both once again smirked, so one of the officers coughed
-Ma'am…we still got a case to crack here
-I know, but I just can't seem to maintain a serious atmosphere with this guy around
-Proud to be of use
-Stop it! Jeez…
Finally going into business mode, we sat down at the table, both Myrrh and Tiki were grabbing my sleeves, nervous while Chun-Li had an awkward expression
-So these 2 are…
I nodded
-Show her
-…Is it ok?
-It is, don't worry, I am right here Tiki
She nodded and in the middle of the room, she transformed, thankfully she could control her size so she didn't break everything
-This…
-So she is one of them!
-Let's get them!
Before both mouth breathers moved however, Leona and Zelda quickly took action and immobilized both, Leona with her arm aimed at the throat of the first and Zelda with a couple flame arrows aimed at the second one face
-My, my, Chun-Li, is it hard to get good help these days?
-Indeed, despite being debriefed, it seems they didn't pay any attention
-Rein them in then, before I break their jaws
-Both of you, step back
-But-
-Didn't I make myself clear?! Back!
Both stepped back as I hugged Myrrh since she got scared, Tiki went back to her human form and jumped me, I caught her with ease
-Can we keep going?
-Please
Chun-Li glared at the officers behind her, the last one who didn't act stupid facepalmed, guess he was the one who brought those 2 mouth breathers
-I am sorry about that you 2, we will deal with them later…can you tell me what happened to you?
-…
-…
-It's ok, she is my friend
They looked at the 2 officers in fear, I smirked and unleashed bloodlust on both, they flinched
-Leave!
-You-
-LEAVE!
Applying a bit of mana pressure was enough to scare them stiff and have them walk out, both girls looked at me in surprise
-Better?
They nodded and told Chun-Li all they remembered until their memories went dark and they awoke again thanks to my song
-Song?
-Some songs have got magical properties Chun-Li, the Song of Healing has just that, it is a song that can heal the soul and get rid of any mind issue, whether that be regrets, blood curses or madness
-May I hear it?
I smiled, pulled out my ocarina and played, both Myrrh and Tiki closed their eyes to enjoy the song, Chun-Li had a shocked expression, likely because this song is healing her regret about the death of her father, once I was done, I said
-Well?
-…How incredible…
-Magic is so versatile ain't it?
-It is, so if we capture the Manaketes alive, you'll be able to get them back to normal?
-Indeed, girls, show her the dragon stones
They presented them as Chun-Li looked at them and took photos
-I see…this is invaluable Eric, you may have stopped a witch hunt
-Isn't that why you called me? Cause you felt something was off?
-Heh, if you say so, I will let my superiors know, I assume you are helping?
-Of course, whoever it was made these 2 suffer, I won't stop till I repay them with the same coin!
-I'm going with you
-So am I!
Zelda and Leona jumped in immediately I smiled
-Obviously, I first have to find the bad guy, they are likely to attack again, so when they do, try to follow them, once we have the base, we launch a raid, all together, Chun-Li?
-Kind of reckless, but I know your skills, do you vouch for these 2?
-I am certain
-Then I have no complains, honestly, good thing you prevented the attack here, KoF may have been cancelled and we would have lost our chance to catch Rugal
-Lucky us, aight, I leave the proper procedure to you, I will go explore the area I found Tiki and Myrrh and see if there are any clues or leads
-I leave it to you then, Eric, be careful
-I will, make sure you discipline those moppets out there
-I will
-I am so sorry ma'am…
-Save it for the higher up, Eric, ladies
She nodded at us and walked away, I plopped on my chair immediately after, with both Manaketes hugging me and looking at me curiously
-So you are gonna go explore?
-Yeah, Zelda, Leona, I will need both of you again, I have no clue how many enemies will be there
-Should I get Link and Impa?
-Tell them to be ready if they are willing to help out, this will be dangerous, Myrrh, Tiki, you 2 shall stay with aunt Hilda ok?
-No!
-We can help!
-…Dragons are very strong, I know that…but are you 2 ready to fight your kin?
-Yes!
-I will not allow someone evil to manipulate others! We will help you big brother!
A righteous heart…these 2…
-Fine, but you will remain close to me or them understood? I am not risking your lives
They nodded happily and after a bit of a tense breakfast, we finally finished it, Zelda and Tiki offered to do the dishes, I thanked them and took flight
-I'll be back by like 19 o'clock, if any emergency happens, you know my number, take care!
I flew and headed where Monica had marked
[Getting Idunn will be a massive blow to their plan, without the Demonic Divine dragon, they won't be able to get more Manaketes]
-Do be ready for anything master, we don't know if Idunn will be happy once she awakens
[Only one way to find out]
When I arrived, it was just a plain
[Below?]
-Indeed, you still have some mana master, please use earth magic and unearth the temple
[Temple huh?]
I did as Monica said and to my delight, it worked, before long, I hit a wall, a mana barrier, I punched that barrier and the ground began to quake
[Was that enough?]
-It was, the temple shall now rise!
I jumped back and watched as the place changed and finally, the ground opened, allowing a sinister looking temple to rise from the ground, the barrier was still around
-Meowster…I feel an incredibly powerful being inside…
[I know, it's who we are looking for]
-Meowster…are you sure about this?
[If you are connected to my soul, then you can also hear Monica right?]
-Nyes…
[Perfect, then you should have an idea as to why we are looking for her]
-…Nya…just…be careful please
[Logically]
I got close and asked
[Monica, you got this?]
-Allow me
I touched the barrier and suddenly, it shattered, breaking completely, allowing the dark energy from within to exude
[As usual, good work Monica]
-No problem master
I went in and saw a bunch of engraving on the walls and the like, I didn't understand any of it, but it meant little, at the end, I saw her
"Dark Priestess: Idunn"
She was in some sort of stasis, the source of it a blade, likely the Binding Blade…
[If I pick it up-]
-It will break, sorry master, it will become dust
Tch, shame
I got to the blade and before I took it, I looked at Idunn…
A red robe with a hoodie, she has her eyes closed, she is beautiful, hopefully by doing this, I can prevent her all the pain that Zephiel brought
I took the blade and it became ash, ending the seal and making Idunn open her eyes, one was red, one was green, she was surprised, I…guess? A vast part of her soul is gone so I can't make anything from her neutral expression
-…Human?
-Uh…yeah, name is Eric
-…War…lost?
-Dunno what war you are talking about, as far as I know, there has been no war for over a couple of…
"Millennia"
-Millennia!
-…Millenia?…
She seemed confused, I wanted to ease her but, suddenly, an atrocious feeling consumed the place and Idunn grabbed her head in pain
-No…darkness…not again…
-Hey-
-MASTER!!!
-?!
-NEKROZHSTEK!!
What?!
A dark smog suddenly emerged and began surrounding Idunn, I quickly took out the Ocarina and began playing Song of Healing but…
-?! GAH!
The dark smog attacked me and threw away my ocarina, I wanted to go get it but a brutal energy beam forced me to jump back, then I looked back and saw Idunn in her demonic dragon from, just glaring at me, I gulped in nervousness
-She has been corrupted master! That bastard Nekrozhstek is affecting her mind!
-What do we do then?!
-Knock her out and play the song! That should be enough!!
-Easier said than done!!
"Demonic Dragon: Idunn (Corrupted Boss!)"
"Rank: SSS-"
Fuck my life…