A new day begins as Alistor hardly gets any sleep. He couldn't stop overcoming the grief of losing a friend. The morning broke in as he got up from bed to meet with the others downstairs. Sairori was already giving news updates as they discussed plans on how to approach Baronia.
“There seems to be some word about some artifact explorers uncovered within the depths of the Mystery region. I heard it was brought back to the kingdom’s museum. You should go check it out since it may have some connection with the Roses.” Suggested Sairori.
Alistor, Tannen, Maigashi, and Auroa agreed to check the artifact at the Museum while Sairori stayed behind. Detective Tannen led the way as the others followed as they walked casually to their destination in no hurry.
"If we encounter the enemy, I don't want you to make reckless moves. We'll stick together to watch each other's back." Tannen said.
Something then crossed Auroa’s mind in the middle of the walk.
"Mr. Detective, if you don't mind. We know you and Sairori are the most skilled, but did you have any predecessors? If you guys had any?"
Tannen puts his magnifying glass back in his pocket. He began to remember a time and place. Alongside a younger-looking Sairori as two great shadows overshadow them. A large man covered with a large cloak and the other wearing a long white fur trench coat. Their faces are not fully visible in the flashback, as two smiles can be seen. The flashback ends with the two warriors fading away from the distance while Sairori and Tannen try to catch up with them.
"That just brings back memories, sigh... It was so long ago."
Alistor and Maigashi became interested in this topic.
"We did, in fact, have two teachers. Sairori was an old friend; I was under the same leaf as you. I still remember the missions and tense training we've been through."
He then briefly described them as he remembered them from the flashback.
"Sairori might still have their portraits buried under all that junk in the basement."
“So what happened to them?” Alistor wondered.
A breeze passed quickly by as things got quiet.
“They both passed on.” Tannen quietly said.
"I see…Well, tell us more about your teachers? What was it like training under them? " Asked Alistor.
"Yeah, tell us more." Shouted Maigashi with a positive attitude. Tannen agreed to tell more to kill time away while heading to the kingdom.
"Where to begin." Wondered Tannen as he cycled through his thoughts. "The both of them back in those times was known as the Iron brothers. They were masters in their own respective realms. We took on many jobs with them. As private mercenaries, whether it was protection or a set target, we always work with the highest bidder."
"No kidding? How much were you guys making?" Maigashi jumped in.
"It was more than enough…." He assured before continuing. "Ahem…The first teacher, Dorin, is a heavy user of the metal element. Big and burly, he wields his favorite hammer called Tonba. The second teacher, known as Sirron, utilizes the metal differently. He can manipulate his metal into any weapon for any situation. His speed makes up for his low durability to get around the battlefield. His primary weapon is the lance called Clatrus."
He then continued to tell more random stories about them until they came close to the kingdom. He closed the subject by describing how they passed.
"Universal love was a belief they always had. Have no friends or enemies and work for the highest bidder when an opportunity opens.
Feared by others in the mortal eyes, they were eventually blacklisted by nations. Ultimately, we were outnumbered, but they made noble sacrifices to let us escape."
Things grew quiet again.
"The lesson is to choose carefully who you work for. Let us not repeat our predecessor's mistake."
They finally arrive at Mathias in front of the museum. They paid a small but annoying fee but didn’t care since Sairori gave them the funds.
Meanwhile, at the fortress of Baronia, the King discusses his concern with the current commander leading his fleet with the doctor. He finds Alistor and the team inside a museum and is curious about that artifact they're mentioning about.
Back down below, the four looked around at the archives and displays of various ancient objects. They looked at one of their brochures received at the entrance about the new artifact that was said to be on display.
"So we look at this thing, and then what?" Maigashi pointed out.
They wandered section by section till they stumbled upon an obvious sign that showed the way to the newly displayed object. They find it in a glass case as they check it. Tannen approached it with his magnifying glass closer for examination while the others waited for his call. He continues to investigate its fine detail before noticing a symbol.
“Red lightning?”
Everyone was wondering what Tannen said randomly. Alistor requested Tannen to repeat it.
“The red lightning.” He repeats again.
The others didn't know what he was mentioning till they looked closer. They notice a Red Lightning symbol on the side.
Behind the museum, the enemy arrives, teleporting down. Sullivan leads the pawns to break inside the museum. As Tannen finishes telling a little back story, Alistor hears a sound from the corner.
“Hey….we got company.”
"I know," Auroa whispered as he drew out his weapon.
Baronia forces arrived to crash the party as glass shattered from above. Sullivan shows up in front of Alistor and the party. Security ran off, cowering at the sight of the Baronia forces.
"So this is the artifact those explorers were talking of. I'll be taking that artifact if you don't mind." The commander chuckled.
Alistor and the others got ready to fight.
"Why do you hero's always choose things the hard way. Well, Pawns, go get them."
The pawns charge at the four. The party expected the same usual grunts to beat down, but they were in for a surprise. Their chests opened, and parts of their body glowed blue and red. Fire and Ice started shooting out.
“So Baronia is bringing out their elemental units?” Tannen noted.
Auroa starts building an aura around him with his whip.
“Let’s begin then.”
Tannen easily barricaded the fire and ice projectiles with simple earth summoning. The four began to fight off the pawns as Sullivan casually walked by to get the artifact. They sliced and diced through one grunt after another, closing in on Sullivan as he already had the artifact in his hands.
"We got you cornered, so don't think you'll get off this easy."
The party approached a bit closer to the wooded man. He stands there with the artifact in his arms as he grasps it tight. His eyes rolled around, glancing at his surroundings while not hesitating to do anything. Tannen felt confident as they had this one all in the bag. Maigashi had his arrow locked on him.
“No use in running….”
Back at the fortress, the Baronia King watches the battle from above with his subjects. They witness Sullivan not faring too well from a viewing screen.
“A complete disgrace!” Yelled the King.
The King makes a quick decision.
“Doctor! Send down Gunner to intercept.”
"As you wish…." The doctor proceeded.
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