Chapter 90: Small Test of Bonds
~Third POV~
Lake Salisbury.
Lake Salisbury is a lake, known for having the highest concentration of magic power in all of the land in the past.
The lake is filled with the cleanest and clearest lake water as the whole land was protected by a thick layer of mist with the bright green grass at the sides with the mountains on the side hidden because of the mist.
A legend says that a princess who lives in the lake bestowed a mysterious sword to a human king.
This legend refers to the Lady of the Lake, who gave the sword
While on the brink of death, he cleansed his sword with his blood and soul. Instead of becoming rusty, the sword became sharper and stronger as it had been infused with Carfen's essence.
The blade's next wielder did the same, as did the next wielder of Excalibur.
This process repeated countless times over millennia, each knight inheriting Carfen's will and cleansing the sword with their blood in the event of their death before passing it along to its next wielder.
After a time, the sword began to choose its wielders, deciding if a person is worthy or not of wielding its might.
Many Holy Knights tried to get it out, however, they failed until the appearance of Arthur, who successfully pulled out the sword, and became the new king of Camelot in the future…
…
…
~Jason POV~
Sigh…
Walking towards my destination I looked ahead as I see the whole land is filled with mist as I was hoping to see the lake.
While I was walking my way in the same direction, I then heard Aiba appear before me in her hologram form as she looked confused from my earlier actions a few days ago, "Sir I don't seem to understand why those people would turn on you after you saved them? Isn't it the part where the people would praise you for saving them?"
Shaking my head at her as I responded to her with a defeated tone as I continued to walk towards my direction, "Sigh. Aiba those people are dumb. They lack the term of common sense as even if I did save them, they would turn on me because killing a Goddess Clan member is equivalent to being with the Demon Clan allies."
Aiba nodded her head in understanding that saving people like them are always going to turn on their savior like this.
And I don't blame them either because they are maybe right that what I did could endanger them more but then again maybe not as I ensured I took care of the bodies and erased the evidence.
Only the future can tell what happened next because I am sure that I don't know the answer.
While walking to my destination I can finally see the beauty of the Lake of Salisbury as I couldn't help but be admired by its beauty within the mist inside the area hiding its beauty.
The clear water looks like a replica of the sky as I can see the mountains of how far they are and as well as how green and lively the place truly is…
*Click*
*Beep*
Clicking and beeping sound from my bracelet as Aiba took on a cameraman pose taking shots from my bracelet as she responds to me, "Sir I took some photos as you planned to take of this place. But also, there seems to be a highly dense concentrated energy here?"
Wondering about that fact I could guess it would be the magic in the area that is causing the place to be hidden or…
*Swoosh*
"Or is it perhaps the Lady of the Lake Traveler?"
I wasn't the only one who was shocked at that as Aiba also looked surprised as we see the fog suddenly change around centering on the middle of the lake as we both see the Lady of the Lake herself or more like a watery appearance at least.
While I was at least surprised what she says next clearly surprised not only me but the other two as well as she spoke calmly, "Hello kind traveler of another world I would wish to talk to thou along with your Asura and Aiba fellow as well Traveler?"
Narrowing my eyes at this I can see now that I don't know what I'm dealing with here but the Lady of the Lake already knew of us specifically as I can't be sure to know how to deal with someone like her.
Aiba also narrowed her eyes as well with Asura fully materialized taking his guard as the Lady of the Lake began to talk to us with an amused expression, "I see that you three are certainly defensive once thou secrets have been discovered? Even plotting to end me as you think is truly funny how humans can be?"
Tch.
I don't know what this lady is thinking telling me all of this since I try my best to keep my identity and along with my companions, a secret was suddenly exposed.
That was when the Lady of the Lake began to speak to us as we are then surprised what she spoke next scaring us what she spoke, "Have no fear of your secrets being exposed Jason Borne, Asura, and Aiba. My master Chaos has been greatly interested in your sudden appearance to OUR world. Safe to say you have gotten his full attention."
!!!
What…?
*Swoosh*
…
…
Before I could properly respond correctly, I was now suddenly inside some kind of castle home along with Aiba and Asura having tea with the Lady of the Lake as the tea in question was ready while all three of us were taken by surprise.
Seeing that fighting her was out of the question as she could've just ended us right then and there, but it seems to her that she wants to talk to us.
The Lady of the Lake then took her tea as she began to explain to all of us in a calm but interested tone as she spoke, "Sip… ah… Now then travelers of another world I see you have come to OUR world for some purpose. But in doing so you have brought yourself immediate attention into this world God more specifically Chaos attention."
Gulp.
Gulping my spit it looks like I wasn't as careful as I thought going into other worlds with the Traveler System if even Gods noticed our presence more specifically Chaos in this world.
Clearing my throat I began to respond to The Lady of the Lake in a nervous tone as I spoke out quite scared but curious as well, "Cough! Sorry but when did Chaos exactly notice our entrance to its world and how exactly did you know our names. I made sure to not speak out to anyone my name possibly Aiba only but not once Asura?"
Lady of the Lake laughed lightly at that as she spoke to us in a funny tone as she spoke, "Hehe… Your sudden entrance was being traced at all times by Chaos seeing that my master isn't bound. But your sudden entrance was taken notice of, but it was only a small flicker that you came here that Chaos noticed."
Now it was all of our turns to look at her with widened eyes of shock as I couldn't believe what I heard as I hear her words saying that Chaos isn't bound at all.
Wait then does that mean Chaos isn't sealed in moss that would be Hawk Mama in the future then?
That was when Aiba began to speak while Asura began to take a sip of tea as she spoke quite confused as Aiba talked, "Wait that doesn't explain how exactly you knew who we are?"
At that, the Lady of the Lake laughed as she began to reply to Aiba's question with a funny yet different tone, "Hehehehe! Sorry but I find it funny how different we are but at the same time the very same. You were made to follow orders just like I but given free will to do as you see fit but only follow your creator around like a puppet? Tell me Aiba what would you do to truly be free of your binds to your master?"
Hearing this I didn't take a look at Aiba as what she does is what she feels to do I made sure to give her a choice she could have taken my body by force if she did want to but not without a fight but…
I really don't want it to come down to that if that happends...
Glancing over to Aiba I see she looked conflicted for a moment as if trying to get an answer so I made sure to reply to Aiba what she wants not what I need, "Aiba you are your person you are allowed the right to choose what you want. I won't be dissatisfied with what you choose just know that I will fully support your choices even if you are free from me even."
Aiba looked at me with some confusion but then understood what I meant clearly as I told her my words.
Aiba has been with me since she was Alter Ego given the choice of feeling more human she has grown much more that she even developed her own will in a sense.
Thinking things back to the beginning she has been with me through my journeys into new worlds in a way I was never truly alone in my trips.
Even though Asura was added along I treated the two with respect and equality but possibly when Aiba was Alter Ego I didn't originally treat her that way maybe I should have given her the choice from the beginning perhaps?
Was I in the wrong to think that at first?
My thoughts were interrupted as I hear Aiba giggle at me as she surprised me from what she heard in my thoughts as the Lady of the Lake seemed more intrigued by my thoughts, "Haha… Sir don't think you're going to get rid of me that easily. Who else would help you out in that suit and keep you on your toes?"
What?
Aiba then looked at the Lady of the Lake as she responds to not only her but also me as well as she spoke with great compassion, "It's true that in the beginning, you didn't see me as much but as a program, but you still cared and trusted to link me into your thoughts. Even then you took a lot of consideration of my words than disregard them even going as far as to make me feel the same things as you do. For that, I can't help but be thankful you…"
Now observing Aiba's direction at the Lady at the Lake as she began to respond fully resolutely of her answer as she smirked at her, "Sorry Lady of the Lake but I'm afraid I'll decline your answer. I'll wait for Jason to make me free one day of being a program being. I know he will one day I can wait and help him along till the day. With that, I apologize for not accepting your offer madam."
Aiba…
Smirking at her across the table I'm really glad to have you at my back to help me out when I'm in trouble Aiba.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!! YES, EXACTLY THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!!!"
Backing off a bit from the sudden crazy laughter the whatever it was now started to break down as it reveals the figure of truth from the Full Metal Alchemist show as it grins happily from our trust.
Looking with actual surprise I see that the figure in front of us respond calmly again as to me as I was taken back of what happened earlier, "I have to admit traveler I think you aren't aware that I made sure these two listens to your thoughts the whole time we entered this separate space. The only reason they can hear your thoughts was to test you."
Seeing the figure in front of us I couldn't help but think things are off as the being then grinned happily as it spoke to us, "Now, now everyone. You can already tell who I am at this point along with this separate room of space right? Or do you need a hint of how exactly broken I am?"
No fucking way…
Every single one of us looked surprised to see Chaos in the literal flesh is meeting us as I looked on with clear surprise wondering what is going on in this world!