Chapter 12

Chapter 12

- After Silas’s Defeat of the Cataclysm Class Entity -

Silas quickly loses consciousness as the spear that pierced through his chest slowly stops glowing. “Wow, what a mess you made, kid.” Clint looks around the space as the walls slowly dissolve into nothingness revealing the newly formed geofront around them.

Tsubomi lands near Clint and Silas but between them and Kaylin.

“Lord Ekhart, warn me next time before you run into a dangerous space like that.”

Kaylin finally realizing what has happened resolves herself and activates her new spectral sword. In a a flash she charges using a sword art towards Clint in an obvious attempt to save Silas from the intruders.

Before Kaylin could even come into contact with Clint, Tsubomi has her spectral staff out and activated and creates an earth wall between them then counters with a volley of head sized balls of earth flung at Kaylin.

Kaylin responds in kind using her sword's spectral ability to generate shields of light just large enough to block each volley. Each ball hits the shields and shatters into clumps of dirt.

Kaylin launches herself in Tsubomis direction but is quickly stopped as Tsubomi uses the clumps of dirt to form a sentient mound of earth that surrounds and encapsulates Kaylin leaving only her head exposed.

“Lord Ekhart, what would you have me do with this woman?” Tsubomi asks as the earth wall she formed to block Kaylins assault on Clint crumbles and joins the pile that is holding Kaylin in place.

Clint removes the spear from Silas and gently grabs him so he doesn’t smash into the ground. He moves Silas over to Tsubomi and Kaylin. “Tsu, heal his wounds but not enough that he comes too.”

As Tsubomi casts healing magic on Silas, Clint's attention shifts to Kaylin. “Girl? You look oddly familiar. What’s your name?”

Kaylin’s attention shifts back and forth between Clint and Tsubomi. After a bit of contemplation she finally speaks. “You two are with the Guild? Given that she called you lord I assume you are a counsel member?”

Clint nods in agreement. “My name is Clint Ekhart. I’m rank 6, and over there is my junior, Tsubomi Sada. Now that I answered your question it’s only polite that you answer mine young lady.”

Kayiln still seems nervous and uncertain how much to reveal. “My name is Kaylin. That guy over there is named Silas and he is under my protection. Wherever you he goes I go with him.”

She glares at Clint until he sighs. “I assumed that would be your demand. Where did you get your spectral weapon? We came here because a spectral weapon was sensed to have been created in this event, however I felt two spectral awakenings. One minor and one extremely major.”

He points to Silas and continues, “That boy obviously activated the spectral weapon of this event, however I have a feeling you activated the second one that just appeared.”

“To be honest I don’t understand it.” Kaylin continues to explain, “I saw Silas die. Yet every fiber in my being screamed all at once that I had to do something. Silas… He has too much at stake to die like that. Then next thing I knew this sword burst into existence and I knew I could do something.”

Clint nods in understanding. “All spectral weapons are formed by emotions. Sometimes the emotions have bad intentions behind them and other times they have good intentions. You wanted with all your being to save that boy over there. It’s no wonder the weapon that took form has the ability to create shields. It’s a literal manifestation of your will to protect your comrade.”

*****

The newly formed party of Kaylin, Tsubomi, and Clint who is carrying Silas walks casually out of the cavern entrance found in the capital of Tricot. The same one Silas and party went through days ago.

“We have to warn Silas’s family that your taking him to Guild HQ.” Kaylin demands.

“Yeah well unless you know where they live.” He pauses to judge her reaction. Once satisfied he continues, “It’s fine I planned to have the local guild branch relay the information to them.”

Kaylin attempts to protest but is stopped when Tsubomi places a gentle hand on her shoulder and shakes her head in disapproval.

*****

They make their trek through the city center. The entire time locals stop and stare and whisper at the sight of Silas slung over Clint's shoulders.

By the time they reach the guild branch the usual receptionist, the cute beast woman with dog ears, is already rushing to the entrance.

“I heard Silas had gotten hurt!” Rei’s gaze shifts from Silas to Clint and then finally to Kaylin. “What happened? What happened to the rest of your party?”

Kaylin looks to be on the verge of breaking when she finally speaks, “Silas, Rugger, Tallow, and I are the only ones that lived through it.”

Rei nods in understanding then shifts her focus to Cint. “You must be Lord Ekhart then. Sorry for not greeting you properly.”

Clint lets out a warm quiet laugh. “No need to be so formal. Can you do me a favor though. I am taking these two back with me to Guild HQ. I need you to inform his family of what happened to him and that he is safe in protection of the Guild.”

Rei looks like she might protest. Clint noticing this asks a question, “You and that girl both look like you want to protest this. May I ask why?”

“Well Lord Ekhart Silas’s family situation is special.” She pauses wondering how much she should share. “You see, it's his brother. He has a sickness that will take him if he doesn’t have medicine. Silas dives into the cavern but never anything too dangerous. Just enough to get what meager money he can to make sure his brother has medicine and that the three of them have food on the table. They rely on him and what little money he can rack in almost daily.”

Clint responds, “I understand the situation. Relay this to them then. As soon as things settle down I will be sending an envoy to relocate them to the capital of Grace Harbor. Silas will be joining the guild as one of my juniors.” Finally he hands her a paper card. “Here is my access card for funding. Provide them with as much funds as they need. Courtesy of Lord Ekhart.” He ends with a smile.

- Many days After The Completion Of The Tricot Creation Event -

Several days have passed and Clint and their group have finally made it to Guild HQ. Kaylin watches as the still sleeping Silas has a bracelet placed on him and a matching bracelet is put on to Clint’s wrist.

“What is the bracelet for and what are you planning to do with Silas?”

Clint responds to Kaylins questions, “This bracelet will suppress the spectral weapons control over him. The matching one I will possess will allow me to release some of that power at my discretion.”

Tsubomi adds, “The bracelets will also ensure that Silas obeys us. If he doesn’t or attempts to kill Lord Ekhart then it will release poison and he will die.”

Kaylin starts to protest but is stopped by Clint, “No worries though. Silas wont fight us because he will have invested interest in working with us. I will do everything in my power to help him find a cure for his brother. I will promise him that.”

Clint’s gaze shifts from the sleeping Silas to Kaylin. “You, however. I wonder. I can’t promise we can find your brother.”

Kaylin looks at him in shock. “You knew?”

“I suspected. You looked familiar afterall. So your brother was Alex, Master Plibius’s junior?”

Kaylin nods in agreement. “Well then how about you join me as a junior?”

“Are you sure you want the sister of a rumored deserter to join you?”

Clint responds, “Cut the crap! You and I both know that your brother would never turn his back on his comrades. At least not without a good reason.”

Kaylin starts to shed some silent tears and nods in agreement. “Yeah. Please Lord Ekhart take me as a junior.”

Clint responds with a warm smile, “Of course how can I turn down the request of a pretty girl?”

*****

After a day of rest Clint, Tsubomi, and Kaylin are standing in front of the eastern entrance of Grace Harbor. It’s very early in the morning and the city is bathed in a thick fog.

“Tsu, make sure to get them here safely. Kaylin fair warning Tsu is kind of a drag on road trips.”

Tsubomi punches Clint in the middle of his stomach causing him to buckle over and then coldly turns away from him and starts walking out the eastern entrance.

“Come on Lady Roses, we have a long journey ahead of us.”

Kaylin bids Clint farewell then runs up to catch up with Tsubomi.

Clint chuckles to himself then slowly raises back up to his feet. “Good grief that girl is something special. You two stay safe and come back to us.” He watches as they get further and further away from the capital city before turning around and walking back into the city.