A Terrifying Aura

THE CARAVAN MAKES it to Weeping Willow Village without any more issues.

Weeping Willow Village is roughly the same as Snapdragon Village. They have an adventurer's guild, a Star Shop, the blacksmith shop Anvil, and a restaurant/Inn named Willows. The one big difference is the Templar training barracks. It currently houses thirty D ranked Templars, one A ranked commander and two B ranked sergeants for a total of thirty-three soldiers.

"Thank you all for everything." Jeff says, holding out his hand.

"You're welcome." Kiyo replies, shaking Jeff's hand.

"Let's go get something to eat. I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry Kino." Alice retorts.

"You guys go on ahead. I need to head over to the guild, and file the paperwork for the completed quest."

"I'll go with you Kiyo."

"Thanks Leo."

"Welcome to the guild my name is Rebecca. How can I help you?"

"I'm here to submit a completed quest form." Answered Kiyo.

As he hands over paperwork his hand briefly touches Rebecca's

"You are all set. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No, that's all, thank you Rebecca."

"You are welcome."

"So what's next?"

"Let's go eat Leo."

After a short walk Kiyo and Leo walk into Willows, and right into a shouting match between Kino and Alice.

"You take that back right now!" Shouts Kino.

"Not gonna happen!" Alice shouts back.

"Do it!"

"NO!"

"That's enough you two!" Said Kiyo, walking over to the table. "Both of you owe everyone here an apology for causing a ruckus."

"Not until she apologizes for insulting rice." Kino says, crossing her arms and pouting.

"I will not. Bread is better than rice. And doesn't look like a bunch of maggots." Replies Alice.

"Seriously. That's what you're fighting about." Leo asked.

"How old are you two?" Kiyo asks. "Because the younger kids here are much better behaved than you two right now."

Kino and Alice take note of all the kids watching them. Some stare with wide eyes. Others are laughing at the spectacle before them. Both of the girls apologize to everyone and to each other, then fall silent. Kiyo and Leo take their seats and place their orders. Abby is the first to speak.

"So what's the plan for today Kiyo?"

"We've been focusing on formations, teamwork, and other things for a while. So I'd like to focus on everyone's individual skills."

"Sounds good."

After eating, the party spends the rest of the day honing their individual skills with the help of Kiyo and Kino.

Night has fallen and everyone is asleep in the village. Except Chris, a B ranked Templar who has finished setting up the training course for the lower ranked soldiers when he suddenly stops dead in his tracks. He starts shaking uncontrollably. "W-what…is…I-I need…" Chris is unable to think straight because straight ahead of him is the newly discovered cave. Something in there is giving off an aura so terrifying it takes all his will power to run and report back to his commander.

"Good morning, how can I help you?" Asks the guild girl Rebecca.

"My party has taken on the quest for that newly discovered cave. I'm looking for the leader of the exploration team. Have you seen him?" Asked Kiyo.

"That quest has been canceled."

"Oh, did something happen?"

"You should go talk with the Templar Lieutenant about it. Because as of last night that cave is now under their control."

"Do you know where I can find the Lieutenant?"

"Probably heading for the cave." Replies Rebecca.

"So what's going on Kiyo?" Leo asks him upon return to the group waiting in front of the guild.

"The Templars have control of the cave, and I don't know the reason as to why that is."

"Let's go ask them then."

"I intend to Corym."

"Hey Kiyo, Kino and Luna are gone." Alice informs him.

"They probably went to kidnap the Lieutenant." Remarks Abby.

"Please don't joke about that." Alice comments.

"PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!" Yells a man being held above Kino's head.

"Sure thing." Kino cheerfully replies. Luna tries her hardest not to laugh at the sight of a grown man being manhandled like a sack of wheat.

Now back on his feet the man stands at one hundred and eighty-six centimeters. He's dark skinned, with a clean shaved head under his coif, and has piercing brown eyes. He's dressed in a black gambeson and padded coif underneath his chainmail shirt and chainmail coif. On top of that he wears a white quartered tunic, black pants and boots. A black leather belt and leather sword hanger with his Mythril Broadsword around his waist. The one thing that is different between him and the rest of his men is that his hooded cape is red with a white cross on it identifying his rank as a Lieutenant.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't arrest the both of you!" The man demands of the girls.

"Hello Lieutenant Arsenio, it's been awhile."

"Leo!? What the hell is going on?"

"Hang on, your last name is Arsenio?" Luna asks. "As in the royal family Arsenio."

"Yes, I'm Prince Jamison Arsenio. However while in uniform please address me as Lieutenant Arsenio. It's been a tradition that everyone in the royal family serves in the military at some point. So why are you here Leo?"

"We're the party that accepted the exploration quest for the newly discovered cave." Answered Leo.

"I see."

"Lieutenant, my name is Kiyomaro Kurosaki, the leader of The Rising Sun Party."

"So you're the one I've heard rumors about. And the other one is… wait where is she?"

"Kino, she left." Luna answered. "I bet she's already in the cave."

"Seriously! First she abducts me with help from you!" Yell's the Lieutenant pointing his finger at Luna. "And now she's interfering with Templar business. I should just arrest the lot of you and be done with."

"Lieutenant, If you believe the rumors about us to be true then you know you can't touch me and that also applies to my friends as well."

"Making a threat like that and to a prince no less is an act of treason and calls for the death penalty."

"My sister and I could easily wipe out your entire empire without breaking a sweat."

"Kiyo, that's going too far." Abby points out.

"You're right Abby. Lieutenant, I apologize for my rude behavior. I don't know what came over me. But I do have a solution to your current problem."

"…Let's try this again. What do you have in mind, Kiyo?" Asked the Lieutenant.

"I ask that you deputize us. I believe you have the power as a prince to do so."

"H-How do you know about that Kiyo? It's a law that's so old only the royal family knows of it."

"I was given full knowledge of this world's laws past and current."

"Do you expect me to believe that?"

"Check my record with the Black Mirror. It's all right there."

"Fine I will. But in the meantime let's get to the cave. I'll make my final decision then."

"Thank you Lieutenant."

Meanwhile Kino learns what's in the cave.

"HOLY SHIT!!!" Kino yells in surprise.

Everyone has met up with Chris, one of the sergeants in charge of maintaining the perimeter. They are about ten meters or so from the cave's entrance. This is as close as anyone from the Templars is willing to get. But even at that distance the aura radiating from the cave can still be felt.

"Luna, are you able to communicate with Kino?"

"No Kiyo, I can't. She might be out of range."

"What are you talking about?" Asks the Lieutenant "Does one of you have a Lapis Stone?"

"I have the rare skill: Yin and Yang which allows me to use both light and dark elements without them canceling each other out." Luna explains. "Because of that I can use Telepathy to communicate with whoever I choose.

"That's impressive young lady."

"Thank you."

"Lieutenant, I have a report."

"Go ahead, sergeant."

"I'm sorry sir but someone breached the perimeter, and entered the cave. I'm at a loss on how they slipped past me."

"How do you know the perimeter was breached?"

"After the perimeter was astablished I used a bit of water magic to make mud from here up to the cave and as you can see there is only one set of footprints beyond this point."

"Is that all sergeant?"

"Yes sir."

"Alright then sergeant what you're about to witness is something only known to those in the royal family. And because of that I'll need your testimony as said witness when I explain it to His Majesty the king."

" Understood sir"

"In the past we used to deputize adventurers into the ranks of the Templars to help us uphold the law. It worked for abit, but then those same adventurers started abusing that privilege. So we put a stop to it. Now only those of the royal family can deputize adventurers. However we of the royal family need to have just cause to do so. Today I believe I have met those requirements. Even as I stand I can feel the aura. So Kiyo I accept your request. I believe both you and Kino are our best chance. So when I say your party's name I need each of you to give your full name to make it official. Now please raise your right hand and I'll begin."

Everyone complies.

"I Prince Jamison Arsenio hear by deputize the members of the Rising Sun Party."

"Kiyomaro Kurosaki."

"Leo Blackbriar."

"Alice Rose."

"Corym Elyra."

"Abby."

"Luna Crestfall."

"Along with Kino Kurosaki into the ranks of the Templars. You'll be under my command moving forward."

Abby stops the cave and after a while mumbles to herself.

"I've felt this type of aura before, but where?"

"Did you say something Abby?"

"..."

"Abby!"

"What… oh sorry Corym. Did you need something?"

"No, I'm fine. But are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm good."

"Alright everyone gather around and listen up." Kiyo calls out. "Corym, given the fact we're up against an unknown threat I want you on point. Stay about twenty meters out.

"You got it Kiyo"

"Next I want a staggered column formation starting with Leo on the right followed by Luna five meters back on the left side, Abby you're on the right side five meters behind Luna, Alice on the left five meters behind Abby, and I'll bring up the rear. Try to maintain a distance as much as possible. Ideally we'd be spaced further apart to avoid being taken out in one shot. But given the circumstances I feel this is the best we can do. We'll make any changes as needed. Additionally Luna, I need you to stay in contact with the Lieutenant, and let me know when you lose the connection."

"You got it Kiyo."

"Questions anyone?"

"I do." Replies the Lieutenant.

"Go ahead."

"How well can you guys see in the dark?"

"I'm good."

"Same with me."

"Corym and Abby are set. What about the rest of you?"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"I see. Sergeant, how many Owl Pendants do we have on hand?"

"Sir, we have ten Owl Pendants at the moment. There's yours and mine; the remaining eight have already been assigned."

"Kiyo take my Owl Pendant." The Lieutenant removes it from around his neck and hands it to him.

"What does it do?" Asks Kiyo as he puts the pendant on.

"It allows you to see in the dark. Just channel some mana into it and say these words; Grant me thy sight I ask of thee to see what hides within the darkness."

"Leo, take mine as well." The sergeant hands his pendant over.

"Thank you sergeant."

"Sir, I'll go gather up the remaining pendants." Offers the sergeant.

"Go make it quick."

Fifteen minutes go by before the sergeant returns and hands over two Owl Pendants.

"Before we move out I have a motto my uncle taught me and Kino when we were younger. It's something he learned while serving in his country's military. It goes like this: "Stay Alert, Stay Alive." That's it. Short, simple and to the point. Alright let's head in."

*

"𝐾𝑖𝑦𝑜, 𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑖𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑡."

"𝑊𝑒'𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎 ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑖𝑛."

"𝐶𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐶𝑜𝑟𝑦𝑚?"

"𝑌𝑒𝑠, 𝑛𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒."

"𝑂𝑘, 𝑙𝑒𝑡'𝑠 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝐿𝑢𝑛𝑎, 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑡𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑜."

"𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑔𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝐾𝑖𝑦𝑜." 𝐿𝑢𝑛𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠."

As the party advances further in Cormy, has everyone hold their positions because. "𝐻𝑒𝑦 𝐾𝑖𝑦𝑜, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑢𝑝 𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑. 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑?"

"𝑂𝑘, 𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑒𝑒."

"𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑠. 𝐿𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑔𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑖𝑡."

"𝑊𝑒 𝑔𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡." Kiyo tells everyone.

It's been an hour since the party entered the cave when Abby speaks up.

"𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑."

"𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑢𝑝 𝐴𝑏𝑏𝑦?" Asks Kiyo.

"𝐼 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑣𝑒."

*

"Is he ready?"

"Not quite."

"What's the hold up Loki?"

"Trying to find mages with the right skill set is taking longer than anticipated."

"How many do you have now?"

"Five."

"How many more do you need?"

"At least three more with the right skills needed for this, otherwise we risk failing all together."

"What if we bring in Osiris to help things along?"

"You think he'll help?" Loki asks.

"He will if I threaten his wife and son."

"With all due respect boss, messing with the Egyption Gods and Goddess is an unnecessary risk."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"I'll ask Kore for help, and in exchange I'll help plot something against her uncle Hades."

"Tell Kore I'll offer my help as well."

"Very well."

"Anansi. Come in here."

"Yes boss."

"How is the Archbishop these days?"

"He's annoyed with the other worlders. They keep interfering with his work of and I quote "Cleansing this world of these filthy demi-humans." End quote."

"That's good, what else?"

"I found out something surprising about his adopted daughter Beth."

"Do tell."

Anansi tells the boss what he has learned about Beth.

"This is perfect. Find a way for the Archbishop to learn of this."

"What about the magic that's protecting her?"

"Hmm…Take this vile and put its contents in his drink."

"How long till it takes effect?" Asked Anansi.

"Not long, but it'll only work for ten seconds. So make sure Beth is within his line of sight."

"It shall be done."

"This is turning out to be more entertaining than I could have hoped for. I wonder why I haven't done this before."