17. Back to the Drakes

On the second day of the expedition, the group reached the castle that was already familiar to Yumino.

Looking at it again, the elf was overwhelmed by feelings of nostalgia that didn't belong to him.

"It's just as we left it..."

"I used to live there..."

"I helped build those walls..."

The voices became noisy, but Yumino was not bothered by them. He had something else on his mind.

I wonder if I can find my way back to Japan around here...

"I doubt that's possible, hero," a voice sounded out of nowhere.

"Now you're reading my thoughts? Can a man ever get some privacy? You know, I've been too paranoid to even change clothes lately!"

"A useless worry..."

"I never know with you guys! Do ghosts even—"

"Let's stop there if you don't have anything meaningful to say."

Being rudely interrupted, Yumino thought of a way to change the subject. He wouldn't miss his chance at getting some more answers.

"Why can't I go back?"

"It's not about not being able to go back. Everyone before you was summoned to different places around the continent. There is nothing specific about this forest, just a happy coincidence that you woke up here."

"So there were others before me. Were they also taken from Earth?"

"That's difficult to say. First of all, what do you define as 'Earth'? For if you are referring to your original world, I have to let you know that it is not the only 'Earth.'"

"Oh?" the elf said to show his curiosity.

"We also call this place by the same name, and so did every other hero summoned here before you. Yet many came from different realities."

The unsettling news made Yumino's ears twitch. Luckily, Velmira didn't notice, as she would have surely taken the opportunity to tease him about it.

"So did the others win this twisted game of yours? Did they each attain the revenge in their own adventure?"

"I'm afraid this is not some sort of samsara, Yumino," Gauntmere answered in a low voice.

"Every hero before you had to start where the other one had left off. Since the curse still exists, I think the answer is pretty clear. Our target still roams these lands."

"One cursed after another... Does that mean that the one before me..."

Gauntmere nodded.

"His name was Erolith. He also lived in Veston."

"Yet he betrayed everyone and tried to kill Lucien?"

"At some point, he stopped listening to our instructions. Things slowly spiraled out of control. No matter how many times we've tried to hold him back. He made a decision that sealed his fate."

"You're saying he died because he didn't listen to you? Well, aren't you all high-and-mighty? If y'all are really that good, how come Death managed to trick you like that?" Yumino snapped back.

"Don't doubt the power of the riders! Even with the whole elfdom prepared, such a force couldn't be opposed! Death is not just another strong man; They are a god of this world, and gods care little about the strength of lesser beings."

Gauntmere's voice, although only present in Yumino's head, felt like it resounded throughout the forest. 

"Woah, it seems I've touched a nerve there! So, why did such a being take interest in my little street scuffle back then?"

"He was probably bored. He was not part of the plan, but once the children felt him, they quickly adapted."

"So the kids were part of your greater plan?"

"They were a lucky coincidence. They saw the chance to free their souls, and they took it," she continued in a calmer tone.

"As for the plan, rest assured, it has been in the making for thousands of years. I assure you that listening to us is the best course of action. Our interests are aligned."

"And if Death comes again?" the elf asked.

Gauntmere paused for a second. Without a face to look at, it was hard to tell whether she was thinking or had suddenly vanished.

"Let's hope he decided you were boring enough to ignore."

"Do gods really play with us out of boredom?"

"You've heard about the first elven disaster. Unlike what Lucien told you, there was no ill intent in what He did. Indeed, it was pure boredom."

"This is one twisted world I woke up in... Wait... did you call it the 'first' disaster?"

The witch nodded.

"We may have to leave that part for another time."

"Huh?"

After being distraught by the conversation for a long time, Yumino found himself in front of a familiar cave, but that was not what had him snap back to reality.

From his left, a terrifying aura started oozing violently. He turned to check it out just to see Gavin standing tall—his demonic sword held proud in front of him.

"Ah, sorry! You're still not used to this blade, right? But I can't just ignore those guys," Gavin said, pointing forward.

There, a pack of drakes crawled out of the dark den, making some specific screeching sounds that the elf was hearing for the first time.

"The cave seems too narrow for a dragon, so I guess it's just those guys. Can we leave it to you?" Velmira pleaded with a yawn.

"You bet! It's about time I show our new friend what the hero can do!"

But as the man was readying his attack, a loud voice screamed inside Yumino's head.

"Do it yourself!" the voice ordered.

Yumino hesitated. He hated fighting, and he hated taking lives. The bow was not meant for that. He loved the bow for the art, not the power.

Yet, with a heavy heart, he took a deep breath.

They said they know what they're doing...

Yumino readied his bow and stepped in front of the group.

"Oh?" said Gavin.

"Let's call it target practice. Don't step in!"

"Sure! Give it your best."

Another deep breath.

"Don't get it twisted. I'm giving you a chance because you're not that witch."

"Haha! That's the spirit!" the manly voice answered. "Now, let's burn something up!"

With a trembling hand but a proud smile, Yumino pointed an arrow at one of the hungry drakes.

"Huh, they don't seem that scary," he said, trying to encourage himself.

"That's 'cause they're on the smaller side. Those dog-sized drakes aren't all that! Be afraid of the bigger ones! The only problem would be..."

"Oh? We're already running into trouble?"

"They're fire drakes. The fire attacks that I can teach you may not work best here..."

Yumino's grip on the bow tightened. All the trust he had was gone in an instant, and he remained standing there, stiffened by anxiety.

"Then why are you telling me to take care of them!?"

"Ah, calm down! All you have to do is burn hotter than they can take. If you can't even do that, we have no use for ya!"

"Well, that's great news! Then you can lift this curse and—"

"That ain't gonna work kiddo!"

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. An archer would know that, so Yumino took his shot at being set free. Sadly, he still missed, but he answered with a resigned smile.

"Hah, you've got a name?" the elf asked.

"If I've ever had one, I've long forgotten it. For many generations, I've been here only to teach the power of fire, so call me what you'd like!"

"... Flam?"

"Maybe we should skip the names..."

Turning his attention back to the threat ahead, Yumino felt more relieved. Exchanging a few words with his new friend helped the elf calm down.

"Okay, focus your consciousness on the arrow!"

Yumino did as he was told, visualizing the whole body of the arrow while not taking his eyes off the drakes.

"Good! Turn the bow sideways, and don't let your mind wander."

While not happy about the shooting method, Yumino turned his bow. As he did, he felt a wave of power surging through the weapon of unknown origin. 

"Visualize the arrows! They're hot. They're getting even hotter."

The arrow's tip started turning red. That red tip became a flame, and then the flame started spreading down the arrow.

"Idiot! Only the tip!"

With a bit of effort, Yumino took the flame back to the tip of the arrow, barely saving his hand.

"That's it! Now, release it!"

The elf aimed at one of the drakes, looked it in the eyes, and took a shot.

The arrow flew at high speed towards its target, leaving behind a red trail accompanied by smoke.

In an instant, it had reached the drake, but it had barely scratched it. 

Yumino's strength was not the problem this time; his aim was.

No, the problem wasn't his aim either; it was Yumino himself.