The Yet to be Defeated

The two left at the site of the wreckage had set up a makeshift tent to keep the elements at bay. This was made out of the sideways remains of the train cart. They had sat in silence surrounding a makeshift fire.

The two maintained this situation until a shrill banging sound rang out. From the remains of the second carts, which had flown a ways away, a banging that sounded like thunder came.

The two didn’t communicate as they made their way over, coming across a massive, strange steel box, many strange symbols carved on it. Among the symbols, many noble houses' crests appeared, as well as the school's symbol.

The two cautiously approach, hearing the banging’s volume grow louder in their ears.

As Locke reached to open the door, it suddenly popped open. From inside the container, a raven-haired beauty appeared. In a disheveled and messy blue and black dressed, Nerissa Orion Orlaith appeared.

“It took you peasants long enough!” She said, standing up from the ground. “Now what happened? Since I was shoved into this box by Ms. Helia, I've been utmost out of the loop!”

The two didn’t know what to say.

Eris explained the situation to Nerissa, Locke remaining silent, casting glances at Nerissa.

This lasted until morning. After the three had scavenged for food from the luggage and storage of the train, they sat down and attempted to discuss their next move.

A Noble woman whose life was at stake.

A girl who followed a proclaimed hero, who had a disdain for the rich.

A demon hunter known as the strongest, who simply wanted to save his daughter.

The conversation went as you might expect.

“Why don't you just go and hand yourself over! Maybe then they'll give back Hiiro!”

“They want both of us, you dolt. My being handed over would only make things worse for us all!

“Quiet down.” Locke tried to settle the conversation; however, the skills of a middle-aged man against two young adults wouldn't help.

The three struggled to discuss any worthwhile things for an hour.

“I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to…” Locke began. It was clear that he wasn't in the best shape mentally.

“Wait just a moment, you said you do not wish to go to war with the church, yes? But you wish to go to war with the kingdom and the school?”

“...” Locke’s face showed the conflicting emotions in his heart, but eventually, they concluded. “If it’s for her…”

The two stared each other down, Eris helpless to do anything.

“You shouldn't negotiate with terrorists, you know.”

Suddenly, a voice came from the woods.

The three jumped up and took defensive stances.

“Wait, Wait. It's me.” Coming out of the woods was a dirty blonde-haired girl with eyes that looked evil. One eye shone with the color of blood, the other a deep ocean.

"You?!”

“I guess,” the girl, Neia Sampsa, replied.

“Where were you?” Eris asked

“Hadn’t you gone to the front carts?”

Locke simply stared at her suspiciously.

“Yeah, but Rushed back almost right away.”

“Why?” Nerissa asked.

“Intuition.”

“...” Both Nerissa and Eris went silent together.

“So how'd you end up off the train?” Locke asked.

“I jumped once the train made a turn later on, which is why it took me so long to get here.”

“Hm… fine, that makes sense.”

“Thanks”

The three relaxed a bit after they had confirmed the girl's identity.

“Is anyone coming to help?” Eris asked.

“... I managed to tell someone, the train will have to go to Delphoscere and send a rescue team from there, so it will take at least a day.”

The three weren't surprised by this; they knew the train couldn’t stop easily, and even if it did, there weren't many who could help in any meaningful way.

“Then what should we do? It's not as simple as asking for them back.” Locke said, clearly apprehensive of the girl.

“We stall for time.”

“Stall?” the three said in unison.

“Yup, the train will reach Delphoscere in the next half a day. The school will send a rescue team out, and we just have to wait for them.”

“We don't have that time! They said to bring her by tonight or else the hostages are done for.” Locke responded.

“Then we'll just have to stall.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?” Locke said as he stepped forward and stood in front of the girl.

“We'll do a dungeon raid,” the girl said.

“You can't be serious.” Locke stepped back.

“Well, why not? We have you, a very powerful hunter, and we have three future Saionia students.”

The three pondered for a moment. Eris quickly realised she didn’t have much choice; if Hiiro were to die, she would be killed. So she quickly gave up thinking about it, turning her attention to the scary girl.
“Aren't you more… talkative?” Eris asked.

“...Can't exactly help much if I'm silent.”

Silence fell upon the group again.

“How long until the school arrives?” Nerissa asked.

“I'd say 15 hours at most if I had to guess,” Neia answered. “But if they send a high-level magus, it could be a couple of hours.”

“I'm in.” Nerissa agreed.

“The noble sacrificing her life for the poor and helpless, I'm so touched.” Eris sarcastically added.

“'Tis the best option I have.”

“Ugh…”

“Fine… I'll go along with it,” Locke said. “But you all have to listen to me. This isn't a game; dungeons are dangerous."

“Yup.” Neia agreed.

“Yes, I understand,” Nerissa affirmed.

A moment passed before-

“Fine, I'll go along with this.” Eris agreed as well.

“Alright.’ Locke faced the three girls. “Our goals are to free the hostages, do not engage with any of the enemies, they are too dangerous for you, got it?”

Locke looked at the three and took out a cigarette. Placing it in his mouth, though he never lit it.

“Well, let's go,” he said after getting affirmative nods from all three girls.

The four walked into the woods.