A Shove of Dark Air

“So our first mission is finding a man that got kidnapped and bring him back?” I asked Luthian as we wandered through a forest trail that led uphill to a mountain path.

“That’s right, he is the son of an influential merchant family. His family reported him as missing yesterday and filed a report, which was given to our group.”

“So I don’t know what a merchant is but is it normal for people to report someone as missing, maybe he is on an adventure or – what was it called again Tannie?”

“An affair with a woman,” Tannie added.

“Right an affair, I learned that lovers end up betraying each other and then run away!”

“Well… we don’t really ask for such details but sure that could also be the case. Since his family asked us to go and bring him back alive we would just have to do that.” Luthian chuckled.

“I understand, dear leader! By the way, is the condition of these four always that bad?” I questioned while gesturing behind me towards the other four so–called members of Luthian’s Crimson Lion squad. The four of them looked like undead creatures marching towards their end. Their chests heaved loudly and violently for air.

“N-normally we wouldn’t march but use a carriage!” Pink Berry complained.

“A-also aren’t you two and that lizard just monsters?! Why aren’t you affected in the slightest!” The guy with the brown colored bangs complained.

What was he called again Edwin or Adwin? Well Bangs isn’t that bad of a name either? Thanks to Tannie I am now well advised in colors as expected! I am a genius!

“What can we do if you mortals are so weak?” Tannie sighed.

“Just as he said! Shouldn’t you at least have a little bit more stamina as a mage!” I added.

“Normally we would fly up but the leader said no magic until we arrive! Meilyn, would you help me please? Unlike the others I already accepted you and didn’t complain at all!” the youngest in the team said. He was probably two or three years younger than me. He had blond colored, slightly wavy hair and green eyes. He actually looked like a mini-version of the leader.

“Roy, move on your own!” Luthian replied.

“But leader I can’t anymore! My feet hurt so bad and we have been moving for three hours! Why do we have to walk all the way!” Roy cried out.

“You all do you really want to leave the squad so badly, that you can’t even handle a little stroll! You all have to work more from now on, look at Meilyn and Tannie. Do they complain?”

“Well she is a demon after all…” Pointy ears mumbled.

There he goes again, does he think I can’t hear him! Really what’s his problem?!

Just as I was about to curse, Tannie tapped my feet.

“What is it?”

“Meilyn, you should help the little one.”

“You mean blondie?”

“Yeah I observed him back at that office. He was the only one who was frightened and tried to say something back. Seems like he is shy and couldn’t say anything back then but he did look sorry. Also doesn’t he remind you of someone?”

“Yeah, he acts just like me….”

Or the version of myself that I left behind in the demon territory. Right, I should help that little bird to fly again. I mean Luthian never said that I wasn’t allowed to assist them. Also I will only assist blondie.

I extended my hand slightly, low so it wouldn’t catch Luthian’s eyes. From my fingertips a little bit of my dark energy escaped almost invisible to the eyes, slowly moving like a breeze toward the back of our little blondie and shoving him up a little.

Startled, he looked towards me and I gave him a little wink. He nodded thankfully and started smiling.

See pointy ears? If you didn’t glare at me I would have considered helping you too!

“You look awfully happy, Roy!” Pointy ears stated.

“Well it's a great day for an adventure!” He laughed.

“We are here for work Roy!” Pink berry complained.

“Just let him, he is still a child who knows nothing” Bangs said.

You, how dare you treat my little bird like that! So they are always acting like maniacs! Poor blondie no wonder you felt so afraid to speak up. Are those grown ups always acting like that towards you? Should I just give them a flick on the forehead or should I make them trip?

“That’s enough don’t be mean to him.”

To my surprise Pointy ears put a hand protectively on his shoulder to support him.

What’s this? Can he be kind?! Am I hallucinating? That stingy complainer, fool with an attitude like trash is actually stepping up? Well… maybe he really just hates demons, but wait for it, before I ultimately leave this place I will make you worship me!

I started to grin as I thought about my plan. Tannie however looked traumatized.

“Meilyn please never make that face again!” He whispered to me.

“Why? I look good no matter what I do, you said so confidence is the key!”

“Confidence, sure! Looking like a serial killer trying to catch his prey, not!”

“What type of killer is that?” I wondered.

“Forget it…” he sighed.

Well Tannie sure uses some grand words all the time

Just as we continued our march we reached a huge cliffside.

“We arrived,” Luthian said.

“Finally!” Pink berry cheered. Three of them collapsed on the cold floor heavily heaving for air.

“That was funnier than I thought! So easy”

The little birdie, I mean blondie Roy cheered jumping happily around me.

“Also thank you Meilyn you’re the best!” he whispered in my ear.

Yeah as I expected except the leader the only one I can count on is this little birdie. He knows how to show gratitude!

“You’re welcome Roy unlike some certain other insensitive creatures who act so highly and mighty, thinking they are the best and now are acting like some undead monsters, a little birdie like you is a great addition to the team! Let’s do our best together!” I said, loudly enough for them to hear me.

Oh look at them glaring at us how adorable, you can’t even say anything because of the squad leader being around huh? Should I press some more buttons?

“Yay” Roy reached out his hands.

“Hurray” I said and clenched his hand and we jumped happily together.

“Now Roy also went crazy!” Pink Berry stated.

“Just let him, it’s not like he would change his mind” Pointy ears replied.

“It’s great to see you get along so well, so should we go through the plan?” Luthian interrupted our dance.

We stared at the map he held in his hand as he explained to us what we were supposed to do.

“We are standing in front of the entrance of a dungeon. The reports and information that were collected by the information headquarters mentioned that the last traces of Jeremy Bellenaur lead to this dungeon. After he went inside all of his mana traces dissolved, as if something in the dungeon was blocking it. So we will separate into three teams and search for him. If magic really shouldn’t work and Edwin's communication magic gets interrupted we will all meet in two hours here and for the teams…Meilyn are you fine?”

Information quarters? Communication Magic? Jeremiah? No Jeremy? Jere...

“Just ignore her, she is having an information overdose” Tannie replied.

“Meilyn, Meilyn come to your senses!” Roy shook me frantically.

“Ah right! Teams? Who will go with who? I should go with Tannie and Roy, let’s go!” I stated and was just about to go my way until a hand reached out for my shirt.

“Hell no, you are going with me!” Pointy ears said.

“What?! Why would I go with you?!”

“So I can keep you from causing a mess!”

“Who said I would cause a mess, you are the one that keeps on insulting me!”

“Look at the one saying that! You are the one who keeps on laughing and making fun of us!”

“So what? I just act the same way that I am treated, that’s what Tannie taught me!”

“That’s right and you mortal let go of her already!” Tannie hissed.

Pointy ears however tightened his grip on my clothes.

“Well a light and dark magic duo combo sounds fun, I allow it!”

“Leader! You can’t be serious!”

“Let’s go” Pointy ears said and shoved me forward.

No, I don’t want to work with this killer, please leader, save me!

But the leader just smiled and waved us goodbye.

Traitor! I thought you were on my side!