Day 2 -
'Knock Knock Knock Knock' ... 'Knock Knock Knock Knock' ... 'Knock Knock Knock Knock'
You're back in that familiar room, that dreaded room. "Come in."
"Morning sleepy head, Leanna made breakfast and i didn't want yours to go cold so thought i'd bring it to you, you gotta be starving after yesterdays ordeal." Fenix walks over to your bed revealing the meal you had become all too familiar with, a french style omelette sided with fresh tomatoes, two slices of lightly toasted bread and the biggest sausage you've ever seen.
"Smells delicious." You put on a smile but below your cheerful facade you were holding back so much pain, as you tale a bite of the jumbo-sized sausage a tear trickles down your cheek and then another then another.
"Is something wrong with the food? I'm sure Leanna would be happy to make you something else..." She grabs the sides of the silver tray, waiting for your word to take it away.
"No, no. It's just..." your voice cracks just a little "I've never tasted something so delicious in my entire life" That was a lie, not only had you tasted better meat back home but you'd had this exact same meal many times before. The tears are now streaming as you slowly chew into your meal.
Fenix looks at you with a sense of understanding. "I know just how that feels..." No, she didn't know how you felt at all."I don't know where your from but don't worry! We're going to take good care of you as long as you're here."
"I'll return the favour... I'll help however i can."
The half human girl shook her head "You're a guest here, you have nothing to repay. Trust me ~." Before she can continue she is cut off by a loud crash, Felt and Rom must be making their escape again. Like a flash your green haired helper is gone but you know that there is no real danger so take your time to get ready before stretching. By the time you've readied yourself and made your way to the foyer the situation is already under control with everyone waiting near the now destroyed entrance.
"Dan!" It's Reinhardt "we're just about to take these two on a tour of the grounds, wanna come?"
You already know your way around so really there's no point "Nah it's alright, i was thinking of just going for a run if that's alright with you" The red haired Knight nods before taking the others deeper into the mansion, with the exception of Fenix who approaches you.
"Would it be alright if i joined you?"
Given how many times you tagged along with her morning jog you see no reason to refuse her"Sure, think you can keep up with me?"
She gives you a coy smile"Oh i'm sure i can manage."
The two of you begin with some light jogging, Fenix staying close beside you for the entire time. You wonder back to the first time yous had spent the evening together how she left you in the dust, you wonder why she hadn't done so since but such thoughts aren't important just yet. You decide that right now planning for how to deal with the coming attack was the most important thing right now, the calm warm winds help you to focus while Fenix's constant presence helps to remind you of what you need to protect.
After a long day you retire to your room noticing there is a note on your desk, walking over to the desk you see it's the one from Emilia, given you know what it says you won't need to ask Reinhardt to translate for you tomorrow.
Day 3 -
You wake and get dressed before heading out to see Reinhardt, determined to gain control over your magical abilities. To be honest you were getting tired of being beaten so badly, you walk through the same song and dance as every other sparring session stretching outside and taking up a wooden training sword, only this time you're confident you can win the match. "We'll start with some friendly sparring"
Leanna gives Reinhardt a cheeky grin "You two go first"
If nothing else you figure your experience reliving the same fight over and over would give you an edge. You and Reinhardt circle each other making a light trail in the grass as your sword begins to glow, time to use your Reinforcement magic in a practical setting. Your sword begins to glow a soft azure, Reinhardt's eyes widen. You move to strike first but fumble as your target had disappeared, it's then you feel several sharp jabs around your body.
"I'm sorry i thought you might have been faster than that" He had won, did he over estimate your skills due to use of the magic?
"You're still a novice with that aren't you?" You can't tell if she's talking about the sword or the magic but you nod anyway
"I've been trained by some incredible people... But, well training takes time."
"We can help you if you'd like?" no hesitation as usual.
The three of you spend most of the day focusing on training you in the use of reinforcement magic, you're now confident to use it in actual combat but how much of an effect it will have you don't know.
"Before that i have something to give you, it's in my room."
"Alright" Reinhardt and Leanna follow you to your room there you present him with a Radio
"This is a device which will let us communicate over long distances, can you please keep it with you if you are to leave the mansion?" You show him how to use it and how to charge it.
"Well with that out of the way we're going to go have dinner, you coming?"
"No i think i'll sit it out today" You remember what that 'food' was like, you weren't going through that again.
Day 4 -
You know where the killers are coming from and so know how to prepare. You Get to work moving matresses and heavy objects into the workshop, these will make for decent barricades should the door get broken down again. When Reinhardt leaves you decide to distract the others the same way you did last time using your phone and a film. While somewhat cramped they don't complain and are yet again fixed to the screen.
Ten minutes to the attack you decide to call for help. Hopefully you've timed it right otherwise you'll look like a fool or worse a liar.
"Reinhardt are you there."
"Is something wrong? i'm in the middle of an important meeting"
"We're under attack, a group of about 20 people wearing dark robes has climbed into the manor, how fast can you get back here?"
"Get the others and hold up somewhere safe we'll be there shortly"
The cavalry had been called and now you wait for the attack.
Your rifle begins to glow a soft blue as magical energies begin to flow into it, you take aim when "MAGE!" one of the attackers spots you, without hesitation you fire off a grenade. The explosion is far greater than you had expected easily two or three times more powerful than it would have been otherwise. When the smoke clears only a handful of attackers remain hidden behind a dome of ice. You fire a burst, blue trails illuminating the bullets baths but the structure holds strong. Not sure if another grenade would pierce the magical-barrier you decide to check on the others, if more attackers had scaled other sections of the wall they could be in trouble.
"Did you hear that?" You almost ran right into Fenix on your way to the workshop.
"It was me, we're under attack. Is everyone ~"
"Still in the workshop? Yes."
"We're going to hold up in there until help arrives, Reinhardt's orders." The two of you return to the workshop to see that Felt and Rom had indeed stayed where they had been told.
Together you and Rom use the workbenches to create a barricade and then do all you can, wait. Another ten minutes pass when you hear a familiar voice over your radio "Hello? Hello? We've secured the yard and are now making our way into the manor, it should be safe for you to come out of hiding." It was Leanna, had Reinhardt been hurt? thoughts of the worst fill your mind. Without even consulting you Rom removes the hastily put together barricade you open the door to find a trio of Knights who guide you and the others to the front yard. There you see two dozen Knights and what must be close to sixty regular town guardsmen, Reinhardt clearly doesn't mess about when it came to his home.
The once green garden is now a total wasteland, the grass burnt beyond recognition while charred chunks of the attackers you dispatched are spread across the grounds. Near the front gate you can see Reinhardt talking to another older well built knight, as you approach them the similarities between the two become apparent. Were they related? A silly question the resemblance was uncanny it almost look like Reinhardt was talking to himself aged up twenty or thirty years. Reinhardt spots you out of the corner of his eye but before he can say anything he is jumped by a certain green haired bird. "You're all safe, it's a good thing you hailed us a pair of mages would be a danger to anyone."
"Where are they? Did you kill them?"
"No when they saw us they surrendered, we've put the three of them each in separate carriages."
"Your friends made alot of mess didn't they." Felt was far to young to be out here seeing this.
"That wasn't us, the yard was like that when we got here."
"That was me" You let off a light chuckle and rub the back of your head.
"Bro no way you did all that! Why didn't you use that power before then when our lives were at stake hmmm?"
"If i'd used it indoors we'd be the ones in burnt out chunks right now."
"Impressive young man" The older Astrea was built like a brick shit house with a deep piercing voice.
"Oh i haven't introduced you two, Dan this is my father Heinkel Astrea. Vice Captain of the Royal Guard."
"I've heard alot about you young man these past few hours, it's a pleasure to meet you in person." You raise your hand out for him to shake but he doesn't understand the gesture.
"It's an honour to meet you too, you have raised an incredible son"
Reinhardt blushes at your comment, it looks like he is about to talk before a certain thief speaks up "You said you could protect us, that we would be safe yet we were still attacked here. Reinhardt i don't see any reason we should stay here anymore."
"The lack of security was a gross oversight madam, rest assured we are preparing a permanent solution to this problem." A permanent solution? "Twenty guardsmen and a half dozen knights will be stationed here from now on." Reinhardts father doesn't mess about, was he the one responsible for such an overwhelming number of Knights swarming the manor?"I suggest you all get some sleep. Rest assured that no harm shall come to you tonight for we are here."
Day 5 - It's a massive stone building which towers over all of the surrounding homes. It's a grand building, even the inner halls are lavishly lined and well finished. The place doesn't so much look like a military structure as it does a mansion. You see groups of knights, nobles and other wealthy citizens wandering in and out of the Guard HQ. Reinhardt walks you through the colossal building eventually reaching a set of stairs which spirals deep into the earth. Despite being a dungeon this portion of the building was still as brightly lit and well finished as the rest of the building. Reinhardt talks with a pair of guards outside of the door, here you pick of a faint sickly sweet scent which turns your stomach. You can't tell if it's coming from the guards or from inside of the room but you can't avoid it, none of the others seem to notice it however or perhaps they simply don't care. Felt shouldn't be too busy and normally stays cooped up in her room, you figure she might be able to help you learn the local language. You knock twice to no answer but you know someone's inside you can hear the sounds of furniture being moved about, you knock again.
You could barely sleep the thoughts of what had happened filling your mind, the guards clanging through the corridors doesn't help either. In the end you don't sleep, instead thinking on what to do now. They had just carted away the perpetrators of the attack and who must be the group leader, you want a word with them. You meet with Reinhardt early in the day, he had already scheduled to head out to the Guard headquarters and so you convince him to take you with him. He's reluctant at first but trusts you and trusts that you will be able to meet with the killers without violence.
"What about the other two?"
"They bit off their own tongues so i doubt you'll get anything useful from them... So are you ready?" You nod before heading in. As the door opens the 'stench' hits you all at once, you gag struggling to keep in what desperately wanted out, you find yourself curled over holding onto the wall. "Are you alright? We can do this another time you know..."
"I'm fine... It's just some of last nights dinner coming to say hello, you know how Fenix's cooking can be."
The interrogation room is circular the walls lined with blue crystals and the floor engraved with some symbols you can't read. In the centre of the room sits a vile woman strapped into a metal chair, the chair is engraved with even more symbols."Ah it's you, the foreign soldier so far from home. Just the person i wanted to see." Her voice cuts deep, with every word it feels as though your heart is burning out. You still have full control over your body but the pain is ever present, could this be 'phantom pain'? or did some effect of her magic carry over from the death! No that's not possible, you're fine this pain must be in your head. "Oh are you giving me the silent treatment? How coy..."
"Who are you?" You don't want to play into her games.
"Lets trade, My name and the answer to all your questions for a kiss!" Her sickening smile disturbs you almost as much as the stench that has been overwhelming your senses. "Reinhardt no-one has actually taken her up on that offer right?"
"Of course not"
"What's the matter honey, women have needs you know and well i can't help but share the love..."
"Answer my questions or else ~""Or else you'll ravage me? Oh please don't hold back." She's sick and you don't know how to get through. Violent interrogation simply doesn't work and you haven't been trained to deal with proper interrogation procedure.
"If you co-operate i'm sure we can make your imprisonment more comfortable"
"Such a sweet carrot you are, but then who is the stick. It's certainly not him" She gestures to Reinhardt with her eyes, he's no bad cop and you bet he knows as well as you do that smacking up a prisoner is unlikely to get through successfully "You know i can help you return home..." Could she be telling the truth or was she simply playing mind tricks on you? "Though why you would want to return to that war torn hell hole i would never know, just kiss me and i'll promise you that." You're sure she's lying, how could she of all people have the power to return you to Earth?
"You're lying now quit playing games."
"Try and calm yourself Daniel." Reinhardt whispers into your ears
"There'll be bluebirds over... The white cliffs of Dover... Tomorrow, Just you wait and see..." How? Why? That's not... You struggle to think clearly, somehow she knew of your world.
"How do you know that song!" You don't notice it but you're shouting now, but all you can hear is her sadistic laugh. "Tell me how ~" Reinhardt grabs onto you stopping you from getting any closer to the woman, you were about to strike her.
"We're done for today." Reinhardt pulls you out of the room. You're shaking as though you'd just walked out of a blizzard.
"Reinhardt i'm sorry... I ~"
As if he knew what you were going to say he replies before you can finish "Cultists know how to get into your head, how to make you act out on the worst of yourself. You held together better then most so don't worry about it."
You spend the rest of the day in contemplation, just how much did this cultist know of you or your world? Was she the one who brought you here? It's possible but you think it unlikely, someone with that kind of power and disgust would have no need for a person like you. No even now you're convinced someone or something else brought you to this world.Day 6 - Re:Read - Regarding learning to read in another world.
You wake to the smell of bacon, one of the new guards had just delivered your morning meal. While eating you think about the letter Emilia had written you and how you had no way of actually reading it, you think on the fact that your 'illiteracy' in this world could be an issue and so set out on a mission to learn to read and write in the local language.
"Guess i'll come back later." Before you can walk away you hear the clank of heavy duty locks, the door swings open and there stands Felt ontop of an overturned wardrobe.
"Hey bro what's up." She's staring level into your eyes with one hand on her hip. Her room is a total mess, cupboards and wardrobes block the windows and form a makeshift barricade around her door. The floors and walls are filled with mattresses, you didn't even know the mansion had so many.
"What's all this..." The reason of your visit fades for a moment.
"I figure if we're going to be the targets of assassins or cults or any other weirdos we can't count on these uptight losers for protection." She's clearly proud of her 'work'. "These fortifications should do for now until Rom can come up with something more secure... So you come to chat or did you need anything?"
"I was going to ask if you could maybe sort of teach me to read?"
"Why would i know something useless like that." The way she phrased it wasn't so much as a question but as a statement. "The only people who need to read are snooty nobles or pompous knights." The young girls tone is now one of condescension. "Trust me bro reading is for chumps." You're not going to find much help from her in this matter.
"Reading is pretty important you know..." Before you can elaborate she cuts you off.
"There's noway you'll ever convince me to do something so snobbish." She is clearly dead set against the idea, you might be able to convince her down the line but right now you'll have to look elsewhere for help. You turn to leave but feel a tug on your arm "Don't..." Felt is holding tight onto you "Just don't go turning into one of those high and mighty idiots" You feel she is talking about the knights or perhaps all of the upper classes of this world.
You pat her on the head scuffling her hair "Don't worry i'm not changing none." of course you didn't notice her pulling back her leg, she has a surprisingly hard kick for a kid. With you out of the room she shuts the door, perhaps patting her on the head was a bad idea? Down the hall you notice a pair of guards sniggering at your misfortune, just past them you can see Fenix doing some dusting. You think she might be able to help so decide to ask her.
"Hey."
"You're up early."
"Well the early bird gets the worm" She looks at you in confusion before smiling politely. You think it best to get straight to the point. "I was wondering if you could help me with something."
"Sure anything, i've been bored stiff all morning." It's Nine AM how bored could she be?"Would you mind teaching me to read?"
She looks to the ground, her normally cool stance has now dissolved into one of embarrassment or perhaps shame? "I'm sorry but..." Her voice cracks, is this a sore subject for her? "I don't really know how myself..."
Fenix shifts uncomfortably, you want to change to subject but she speaks up before you can. "I'm sure Reinhardt or Lady Leanna would help, let's go find them" She turns fast, does she not want you to see her face?
The two of you wander the mansion for some time before coming across Reinhardt in the dance hall standing in front of a hand drawn map of the manor talking to a handful of guards. "Maybe we should wait a bit he looks busy ~" Fenix ignores you continuing to walk towards the master swordsman. You miss alot of what they say but catch on to Reinhardt mid sentence.
"You know i'm not good with that sort of stuff..." He motions to one of the guards and says something to them but you don't quite catch it. "Take him to the east library i'll have someone meet you there." You can't so much as say hi to him before you're dragged away by the arm, Fenix is acting unusual.
The two of you wait in silence in the library for some time, unsure of what to say. You're about to break the silence as the door creaks open, through it walks yet another woman wearing a similar yet distinct uniform as the Knights. Behind her a group of guards carry through a struggling young thief."Let go of me you ~" She notices you and Fenix mid sentence "Bro! Sis! Get these thugs off of me." before you can actually do anything they place her down and shut the door. She tries to force it open but it won't budge.
"You won't break out of this room, no-one is leaving. Not until we've finished the first lesson." The new woman speaks in a somewhat uncaring tone, seems as though she wants to be here as much as Felt does. "Introductions are in order. My name is Aldna Österreich of the Royal Knights and you are" Another attack? The guards that had been standing in the hallway move into the library and take up a close square formation around Felt. A few moments later even more guards pour in"There was an explosion in the south market district, the attack is well away from here." Well away? then just how big was it if it shook the mansion. "The other knights are patrolling the manor, best course of action is to stay here until the all clear is given."
"I'm Daniel, Dan for ~"
She cuts you off before you can finish "If you had let me finish you would know i am familiar with your name and actions in this kingdom as well as those of Mrs Wite and the young maiden." Maybe you did jump the gun a little, but with the way she talks it really did seem as though she had finished talking.
"Thank you for helping us with this." Fenix is still departed from her regular self while Felt seems to be examining the room for an escape route "It is no problem but simply an extension of my duties as your guardian" Guardian? You hadn't put it together before but you remember it now, she was one of the six Knights from the other day, the ones assigned to the manor. From her satchel she hands each of you a blank book as well as an ink pot and an extravagant quill, you've never used a quill pen before so decide to get out your trusty pencil instead, this grabs the attention of the Knight. "What is that?"
"Oh this? it's a pencil." You open up the book she had handed you and write out 'Hello nice to meet you' "Where i'm from we use it to write."
"Amazing." Is a pencil really such a big deal? Her cold professional attitude melts away from something so simple. "Let's start with the basic symbols..." She refocuses herself bringing out yet another book from her satchel, how much stuff did she have in that thing anyway? You start off by repeatedly writing out basic symbols over and over again. "Repetition is key." The basic concept isn't hard to understand, there are three sets of symbols but Aldna starts you out with the first set.
After who knows how long she has you and the others write out a sentence from a children's book using the first group of symbols, the sentence structure feels alien to you but you slowly get the gist of it. Felt seems to be a natural, her handwriting is messy but she's burning through the tasks with confidence. Fenix on the other hand is struggling, her handwriting is elegant but the sentences themselves are mixed with symbols being placed incorrectly. You can see the frustration mounting on her face and you want to help her but before you can an explosion rocks the mansion
You can't just sit idly by and wait this out, you cant let a potential disaster get any worse. You rush to your feat and make haste for the door but find the path blocked by the woman knight."You're not going to leave this room until the all clear is given." "People are in danger. You can't expect me to sit idly by and ~""It's irrelevant, We have orders. You can't expect us to disobey them. "You grit your teeth, you can't bring yourself to stay but don't want to start a fight with the security. Even if you truly did want to shoot your way out, and you don't, it's unlikely you would manage to take on all of the guards in the room let alone others outside. "You don't even know what's happening." Felt is speaking in a much more serious tone than normal "You have no idea what you might be running into." You notice her eyes are starting to water, her voice has now turned into a full on scream."Do you want to die or something!""The Knights can handle this..." Now Fenix too? "What do you hope to accomplish?" You're being bombarded from all sides, you can't force your way out and you're not going to convince them to let you out. It's then a familiar red haired knight shows his face accompanied by the old giant. "Good everyone is here." Not everyone, most of the guards, the Knights and even Leanna were still unaccounted for. "Leanna is leading the perimiter guard, we'll all hold up in here for the night or until circumstances improve"."Reinhardt! You have to let me out of here, i need to help." "The markets are in flames, i'm sorry but you could get yourself killed. Don't worry there are plenty of ~"
"What does it look like?" She's speaking as if this is the most natural thing in the world, her tone is completely out of place. "You can fly!""Not if you keep wriggling like that..." You try your best to stay stiff and not to look down, you'd never been afraid of heights before but being carried through the air, held up by nothing but the strength of such a petite woman had you understanding just why so many were afraid of flying. From this height you can clearly see the scope of the disaster, dozens of buildings are aflame and people are still rushing from the scene, a large crater located near the market place surrounded by the ruins of nearby buildings mark what must have been the epicentre of this event. The crater and resulting carnage represented something you had seen far to often before, this had clearly been caused by an explosion. Aldna places you a safe enough distance from the flames, what would have taken close to an hour on foot had only took moments in the air. A handfull of citizens try to combat the flames but they're uncoordinated, you and Aldna seem to be the only professionals on the scene. "You can fly, got any other tricks up your sleeve?" She looks at you with a confused look, that saying really shouldn't be so hard to understand for her. "Magic, can you use it to stop the flames.""I could use Ice to freeze the structures caught in the blaze. However using it would certainly kill anyone caught in the radius."You shout over some of the local onlookers. "You fetch water! You go with him! You help clear the surrounding buildings, make sure no-one's in them." They do as you say, though if it's because of your commanding tone or the presence of a Royal Knight you can't say. You run through your disaster training in your head, while this is somewhat different you figure techniques you would use to combat napalm or firebomb attacks could still apply. Your coordination efforts go well as the previously disorganised citizens had now began actually making a difference, but the fire still raged. While you do your best to help evacuate people from the area and fight the flames you do your best to try and come up with some way to utilise Aldnas powers."Everyone if you can walk please keep moving." Healing the injured is all she could do without risking injuring survivors."I've got it!" You snap your fingers and rush to the magical knight. "I need you to make an ice sculpture." She gives you yet another look of confusion, you'll admit this time it was deserved. "We clear out the streets near the flames and then you use your powers to create ice walls, the mana drain from the environment should cool it down enough to lessen the flames and if we keep it confined to the streets and are carefull we should manage without risking anyone inside of the effected buildings."Your magical companion simply nods, you give the command for everyone to get off the streets and have some of the locals form a cordon to stop people wandering in before Aldna unleashes her magic, the ice wall she creates reaches close to a story high and runs along every road and alley afflicted by the blaze. The effects are almost instant, it's easy to see the flames dying down and the smoke dying out. You turn to Aldna, you's had done it! Only to watch her fall to her knees. "It's done" She turns to you, you go to speek but she interrupts you "Don't worry i'll be fine..." You're not sure about that, her breathing is heavy and laboured. You remember back to one of your first experiences with magic, what if she had used up to much like you had? If it wasn't for that strange cat you would have died. You pick up the exhausted woman, thinking about how to move forward when you see shadows moving along nearbye rooftops. You don't get a good look but you think they might be heading for the guard house, could this whole thing have been a distraction? That would be awfully convenient but what if it was? You have a tough decision to make, to bring Aldna to saftey or to investigate potential cultist activity. Whichever you choose could have long lasting implications for the future...