Chapter 9: The War Conclusion
After hearing the sound of a gentle whooosh—In a single frame, I was now right before Maniac, driving his own sword at his heart.
"Acckkk—H-How did you do… that" Maniac fell to the ground
"With this, our deal is done kid. From here on, you'll lose every memories about me"
"Rwooosh—"
I rub my fingers against itself, and confirmed that I was in control again, "What just happened"
"Aether!" Fenris yelled out as he ran
"What just happened, what did you do?" He asked
"Lord Fenris. I don't know, my body just moved on its own. One second I was standing behind you, and then I suddenly stood here right before Maniac"
"We'll talk about it later, right now we have to deal with this guy" Fenris grabbed his blade
I looked at Maniac lying beside my feet, his breaths were thin and uneven.
A weak whisper escaped him, "Lord…Lord Kronos…"
"Look out Aether!" Fenris jumped and pushed me to the side
A giant hawk suddenly appeared, grabbing Maniac with its claws. The fierce flap of its wings knocked us back with pressure alone, preventing us from getting close to it.
"Dammit! How is it generating so much pressure with its flaps"
"{Lighting Element: Lighting Strike}!" I fired a long streak of lightning… But it was too late, the giant hawk had escaped with Maniac.
"Dammit!" I roared out, "Maniac! I promised I would kill you, and don't think I will forget my promise so easily!" This was the first time I felt disappointed, ever since I came to this world.
***
The entirety of the war and its sequences were manipulated by Maniac. We found out that the Minotours were controlled and used, and they never wanted to break the treaty made between the two races.
The Werewolves took in the surviving Minotours and fused the two races together. And peace finally settled again.
We never figured out who Maniac was, but one thing was clear—Goroseki, we knew we had to look out for the group. After all, it was a group that even a powerful person like Maniac idiolised so greatly.
*** A few days later
"Boy genius, you there?"
I opened my door, it was Uzui and Kentaki, "You guys, what are you doing here?"
"You're leaving tomorrow, so of course we're coming"
"That's right Aether, and you're the reason we're still alive and kicking. If not for you, I would've lost more than just an arm"
I was happy to hear their words, "And I would've died on the spot if you guys hadn't come. I'm lucky I have great friends like you" We laughed and messed around for a bit, and we decided to have walk around the town one last time
The town was noisier and more crowded after the fusion of the two races, but the liveliness strangely calms the heart.
Kentaki spoke out, "So, you're leaving tomorrow and all, but where exactly are you heading?"
"I took advice from Lord Fenris, and he told me to go for The Great Fire Village, so I'm heading that way.
I like it here, but I have to know more about the world, especially since groups like Goroseki exists"
"Hmmm" Uzui rolled his eyes to the sky, "If I am not wrong, The Great Fire Village is one of the four great village.
Right now there is no war so you should be able to apply for citizenship, but you better not forget about us, boy genius"
"Of course not, how could I ever forget you guys.
Anyway, I'll have to stop at Crus village before entering the realm of Lightning. Lord Fenris told me it will take about two days to reach Crus Town, so I'll have to prepare some food and water"
"Yeah you better"
We walked around a bit more, helping and talking with the other villagers. I never knew you could have this much fun just talking to people, and simple things like this were new experiences for me.
From a distance, "AETHERRR" shouted Aria.
"Aria, what are you doing here"
"Grandpa told me you're leaving tomorrow, is that true?"
"Uhhh, yes that's right"
"W-Why are you leaving, tell me?!" Her eyes were red, she must've cried on her way
"Oooooh, is our little Aria sad that I'm leaving the village? Are you sad that I'm leaving?"
"T-Thats not true okay? I don't care if you leave, I just want to know why"
"Old man Oloris will tell you later, but don't worry little potato, I will come back before you even know it"
"Don't call me Potato!" She ran off
I knew she was sad that I was leaving the village. And to be honest, I too was a bit sad leaving the friendship I finally had. Aside from my six brothers from my past life, there was no one who loved or cared about me.
"Well then guys, it's getting late so I'll be going back and start preparing for my travel tomorrow"
"Okay, we wish you best luck Aether, make sure you travel safely"
And so I went back to the mainhouse, and prepared myself for the long journey ahead.
***
Early in the morning, the sun was still burning red on the horizon, and clouds were still dense like a white cotton
"Don't cry Aria, we'll meet again soon. Your grandpa gave me a magic orb to guide me to the Human city, I'll be safe"
She wiped her tears clean from her cheeks, and talked with a trembling voice, "M-Make sure you come back Aether, promise me you'll come back"
"I promise"
Old man Oloris carried Aria to his back, "It looks like you're all ready, that son of mine is too busy to even give you a farewell, please excuse him"
"No it's alright, I know how busy he is"
"Don't forget what you learned from this place, Aether, and make sure you travel safely"
"Yes of course. Then, this is our goodbye, make sure you're still kicking when I come back"
"Hahaha, Of course boy genius, I'll be waiting for you"
I walked away, and every step I made was strangely light and soft.
The forest, its canopy blocking out the sun, was rather lively with the birds singing and insects chirring
"I did not want to leave so soon, but I can't just stay there forever. What I need right now is resources and information, and the village can't provide me with that.
They told me it would take around two days to reach Crus Village" I reached for my pack, "The magic orb part was a lie, but old man Oloris did give me a map"
I pulled out the map from my pack, and laid it flat on the ground, "Hmmm, I'm right here in Redwood, and there is nothing but forest on the way. But I have enough food for two days so I should be fine.
After reaching Crus Town, I'll enter the Realm of Lighting, where The Great Fire Village resided. It's twice the distance, so after entering the realm of Lightning, it should take me about four days… it's doable."
I continued my journey to Crus Town, and I used my Kaidan—Mana detection every few minutes to make sure I didn't miss anything.
A few hours later into the thick forest, "Is that?" I saw something at a distance, "There is a faint but dense mana coming from there. It's too faint to be a mana beast so what is it" Intrigued by it, I decided to go after it
Every step I take making my way closer to it—the mana remained faint but kept getting denser and denser.
"If not for my skill, I would've never found you" I was only a few steps away.
I ripped apart the leaves and vines that are in the way, "It looks like these vines are covering the mana from leaking out, the more I tear the more mana slips out.
Hmmm, what's this..."
I saw a huge golden rope wrapping around something. As I began unwrapping it, a bright and warm mana slowly started leaking out
"This warm and paciifying mana...Don't tell me, this is—" I was surprised by what I found.
End of chapter 9.