Ambushed by a babe.

We left the Spirit Forest a day ago. It’s been nothing but riding horses and stopping so that the animals could rest. The elves lend us the horses, so we should really treat them well enough, or we will be in deeper indebted to them.

The duchess Martha van Vers it’s not exactly a gentle soul; she is known for being practical and not letting her personal feelings interfere. When I was 12, I met her and she was surprised by my looks, now knowing that she knew my father maybe she was just trying to “invest” in a potential lover.

She did not expect me to be the one trying to make a move on her though. I suppose that she did not take well that the one that should be innocent was instead an already strangely sassy kid. From that moment she mostly ignored me in our meeting.

But that’s just in the past, let’s see if I can impress her showing the letter my uncle prepared for me. I have in my company a maid, a butler who was a mighty general and my cousin who is a well-trained knight. Add to that the promise of the great strategist and mercenary Retor would join me if needed. Of course I don’t really want such a thing, my plan is getting my siblings to safety in some other country and then... Just find something to do with my life.

Ever since I came to this world, I have been busy due to my circumstances, even the 3rd prince who is not that beloved had duties to do. It is sad that my family had to be torn apart for me to suddenly gain freedom. I would love to try and recreate soccer in this world; I know that some ancients brought chess and some other “wonders”, so maybe I could convince people to enjoy bloodless sport.

Now we are just about half a day riding to the van Vers territory, it has been a rather uneventful journey. Camping during the day in forests and caves whenever available and going our way when the sun comes down. Today we are camping in a cave next to a beach, this land possesses one the bigger jungles in the continent and its coastline are extensive.

The Septem Empire is big enough for it to have many ecosystems, but it is also true that unlike my original world it seems a little more chaotic, you can find a state that lives in ever winter and bordering it there's another territory that looks like a tropical paradise. Maybe is the influence of the dual moons or the existence of magic.

As I was thinking about how much I miss convenience stores I fell asleep.

It seems like I’m benched. During the first weeks after my big injury I would come to the team matches like I was going to make a comeback. It never came, and I gave up on my dream, ever since then I have never really been able to move on. Olivia today is wearing a suit like most masculine coaches would in the big leagues. Seeing her like this is strangely warming, perhaps I should make my dream about creating soccer.

“My dear child, if you train so hard I can’t appear before you”. Oh, if I train, I can’t see her? “What do you mean? Curses don’t like other worldly activities?”. “No silly, I am part of you, so I need magic to exist. If my host is constantly depleting his magic, I can’t take much so it takes longer”. Well, that much makes sense. So, she did want to help but my obsession with kicking magic put her on the fridge.

From now on I will try not depleting my magic totally. I thought that if I used magic daily, I could become some great magic warrior, but it seems like every person has its own cap. Rather than using all my magic to improve the quantity, which as I said it's not possible, lately I focus on an efficient use.

“I am happy to tell you that I support your decision of going to Martha, she was always a good friend so I can believe she doesn’t have many ulterior motives, if anything it is strange for her not to collaborate with Licaon... I suppose she can tell he is in the hands of the enemy”. “Is there is someone pulling his strings? How could anyone make such a mess of the capital? We are supposed to be the strongest in the continent”.

“Never thought I would see you so worried Adi, but I am glad that you care for your family. There is a cult that has lived in the shadows for a long time now, they are the Sisterhood of the Flame, and it is composed by the strongest witches. I was once offered to join their ranks, but I don’t share their view. Well, I didn’t after all I already passed”.

So, an organization that lives in the shadows with strong women. I hope they don’t wear black coats with red clouds, that would be a copyright infringement. “If I run into them, I should just run, shouldn’t I?”. “You are stronger than most people really realized, but still, I would like you to avoid fighting as much as possible. Your fighting potential can be the key to save Rito and Zwart, I am sorry to put so much on your shoulders, but Licaon most likely accepted a pact with the witches to take the throne. Ava and Zodra are not as composed as they always try to appear, and even if they were I guess that you did live at least until adulthood in the ancient world, so I trust your guts”.

“I was just a good for nothing in every way possible mother, your hopes are going to the worst place possible”. “I have look over you all your life, maybe not directly or in the way a mother should be due to my responsibilities but believe me when I say you are better than you make yourself to be. Take care son”.

And just like that, the dream ends. My remaining older brother must be in cahoots with the enemy. Not surprising considering that they infiltrated such a well-guarded city without the empress noticing until it was too late.

Trusting Martha should be a good move, or that is what my mother or what remains of her thinks. It is not like I had that many choices, but it is good to have her backing even if it is just spiritually. Nature calls, so I better start walking I don’t want to be doing my business next to my tired and trustworthy allies.

“Son of Olivia, blood of snakes. You will meet your end here”. That sounds cool and all, but could you not come in ANY other moment? I get that taking someone while they are in the middle of their dirty work is easier, but I am a prince for fuck’s sake. Luckily for me one of the elements I resonate with is water, So I basically spring away from the voice while cleansing my ass with magic. Not the best use, but I won’t be dying with a dirty rear.

“I thought that you were... Just resting. Truly a disgusting being, through and through. I came originally just as a messenger of the Sisterhood but killing you right now would be the best course of action. Now prepare yourself and cover that dangling thing.” I put my pants on, so she was so distracted that she had to say it huh. Now that I look at her, she really is a pretty brunette, maybe way too pallid looking for my liking but those icy blue eyes are nice.

Let’s try playing stupid. “I don’t know what it is that you are talking about, I’m just a fellow who was taking a dump on the beach. I will forgive you and not report you to any authorities if you just go from my sight”. Well maybe that sounded way more princely that I wanted. “Condensing storm, brightness of the accursed goddess, I call for the great power that you bear; turn my enemies to dust, RADIANT LIGHTNING!”.

Ok she can’t be reasoned with, that is one of the sage-level spells when it comes to the lightning element. Way too fast. But nothing I can’t take care of, just as it was coming, I take it with a volley kick, my leg infused with neutral element capable of fending off if my magic is enough. It helps that lightning is other of my specialties.

The radiant lightning hit the messenger of the cult, that lies on the floor... Fried up. I am not sure if she will live, but I can’t really do much for her. Healing magic does not exist in this world as a separate thing; it is part of the light magic just like curses belong to dark magic. My body cannot use light magic, sorry babe.