Fantasy Project Anima

[Srion Receno]

She smiled only slightly hearing them exchange words. She nodded hearing that Arty wanted to go as well. "like I said we both need it.. It will help us relax before this" she turned to her again. "lead the way princess" she said with a teasing smile. She still was not in the mood to go looking for it, but she wanted to soak her fears and worries away.

 

[From Darkness]

Arty nodded, and after asking further, found out that the bath house was a bit farther in the downtown. As going there with the horses would be inappropriate, Gills took them first to a stable near the gate. He didn't really care about the horses since they were borrowed in the first place, but it'll be easier to use them again when they need to bail off the city quickly.


Following the direction, they finally reached the bath house, an establishment made of decorated white marble just like a government building. The size was smaller, though, and it was open to public. At the time when they arrived, it was mostly empty as people had finished taking baths and starting their day. The spacious building felt like they reserved it only for themselves.


"Men and women are separated it seems, hmm," Gills mumbled.


"It's an open bath, so it's as expected," Arty replied. Then she added while giggling, "or do you want to enter together with miss Crimson, big brother~?"


Gills's face blasted into a beet red color. "D-Don't be ridiculous! Whoever want to see that ugly woman's body?!"


"I never said you have to look at miss Crimson's body, though..." her smile grew naughty.


"...whatever, enjoy your time," he kept grumbling while heading to the men's part.


"Hehe, shall we go in, then?" Arty turned to Crimson.

 

[Srion Receno]

She fallowed with a slight smile as they dropped the horses of then went to the bath. Hearing Artys comment she blushed slightly think about him in the bath with her, but that turned to anger as she heard the ugly comment. She was about to pull out her dagger as he walked away but hearing her she slid it back in it's sheath.


"ya let's go before I kill your brother" she mumbled as she fallowed her into the bath house.

 

[From Darkness]

The open bath was a large area occupied by warm body of water, kept in comfortable temperature by a system of heating underground. It had become a popular place for citizens to mingle and release their fatigue for the day. In the morning, though, the place was mostly empty. Arty squealed a bit as she slowly putting her legs inside, letting her skin getting accustomed to the sudden warmth.


"Hmm~ This feels good! Isn't it, miss Crimson?" she sighed happily when she was finally submerged in the water. A cold river is nice to fresh up one's mind, but the warm bath is even better when you need to relax. She sat around the edge of the bath, letting her mind free from her troubles if even just for this brief respite of time. The steam rising from the bath helped creating a calm atmosphere. "Haaa...I feel alive..." she remarked.

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson was hesitant about going into the warm bath with her new burns but soon followed her in. " yes...it feels nice" she said leaning back next to Arty. Since the burns were a few days old it didn't feel as bad as she thought it would. Though it felt good on her body her fail a few days ago still played on her mind.


Roman had fallowed them silently for days and finally found his chance to have the prince alone. Walking in after them he got undressed and stood behind him as he was in the bath. "mind if i join you? " he asked smiling

 

[From Darkness]

Arty had noticed her wounds from three days ago, but didn't want to ask her about it since she looked like she didn't want to answer. Right now, with it openly displayed like that, the princess couldn't hold it any longer. "Miss Crimson...those wounds...do you mind telling me what happened? Is there anything that I could help with it?" her eyes showed genuine worry for the assassin, just like to a sibling of hers.


====


At the men's bath, Gills was just chilling around, being the only person there just like the women. He was still grumpy about Crimson's behavior these days, and for her sister's remark just now. He knew that it was just her teasing him, but the worst part was that he couldn't get it out of his mind now.


"Agh, stupid Arty, why do you have to say that..." He mumbled it to no one but himself. Right at that moment, he heard someone calling from behind. "Hm? Yeah, sure, you're welc..." oh wait, that voice sounds familiar...


When he turned back, he was surprised to see the man from before, the one who had interrupted his talk with Crimson. He still remembered him clearly as he, just like her, was an assassin. And she did say that this man hated the royalties, and thus Gills to an extend.


"W-what do you want?" The Prince moved back, creating some distance between them. He had left his clothes and weapon on the edge of the bath, right where that man's feet were. This is bad. If he attack, Gills couldn't fight back immediately.


========


Meanwhile again...in the women's bath...


Arty was still waiting for Crimson's answer when another figure entered the bath area. The steam was concealing the presence, but it was clearly a woman. A small woman, to be exact. Slowly walking closer to the bath, her figure grew clearer.


"Excuse me. Let me join. Bath..." the familiar, soft voice said. Finally the steam cleared out, and...there stood the silver-haired petite girl from before, carrying a tray of towel and soap. For a while, there was an uncomfortable silence. And then Riz dropped her tray, her other hand pointing at Crimson with trembling fingers.


"Y-y-y-y-you...what are...you...doing...here..." Her usually flat expression was full of shock, her usually broken sentences were even worse.

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson sighed hearing Arty ask about her burns, she didn't want to talk about it but knew she would most likely ask again. She closed her eyes and leaned back thinking about how to start it. "it...it was a job..." before she could say much else she heard a voice it was all to familiar.


She let out a light groan then opened her eyes to look at the girl. "that's why I have the burns" she said in an annoyed voice as she pointed at he girl "what dose it look like I'm doing?" she then waved the girl for the girl to get in. "I won't fight you...i..." she was about to say lost but the word would not come out. "just get in the bath I'm not in the mood to fight besides I'm no longer taking the job" she mumbled before leaning back again with her eyes closed. She didn't want to fight this girl naked though she did want to fight her again.


.............


"oh my my you are vary jumpy" he laughed then held out his arms. "as you can see I'm like you nothing on me I just came to talk is all assassin to prince" as he said this the word felt like poison coming from his mouth but he was able to keep a smile as he walked into the tub.

 

[From Darkness]

Arty was glancing back and forth at Crimson and this new girl. She looked so small...perhaps even smaller than the princess? More importantly, what's with the tense atmosphere? Crimson said this girl was the source of her burn marks...and the girl didn't look appeased at Crimson's speech. If anything, the words just seemed to stir her further. "Err...hi...?" Arty tried to say something, but the girl didn't seem to hear her.


"You...you..." Riz was still trembling, although it changed gradually from shock to anger. To meet an enemy so nonchalantly like this...she still lacked training, it seems. "You, enemy! I won't let you. Hurt. My liege!" She pulled out her gauntlets, hidden beneath the towels on her tray and put them on in lightning speed. She leapt toward Crimson, blade already sprung out.


=======


Before that, a few minutes ago, in the men's bath.


Gills gave Roman a smirk. "Well, well, it's an honor to be able to talk with you, Mister Assassin," he kept his eyes on him, not wanting to miss even a slight hint of attack. He couldn't let his guard down against an assassin. Any mistake would means death. "And? What kind of talk do you wish to have with me?"

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson quickly picked up Arty and dodged out of the way of her blades, she was a bit surprised that the girl had came at her here "what is your problem? told you he is no longer my job" she said irritated as she stood there still holding Arty. "and don't run you will slip" she mumbled waiting for another attack, she was to calm to be cranky as she watched the girl


..................


"oh~ not much I was actually wondering how attached you are to miss Crim..Red Fang" he sat down away from him as well as between him and his weapon. He stretched then leaned back relaxing, as he watched the prince.

 

[From Darkness]

Arty yelped when she saw Riz coming at them, blade readied on her arms. She cried again when Crimson suddenly picked her up and brought her away. It made the petite girl missed her target, though, as she fell down barreling into the water, creating a huge splash. She quickly rose back up, her eyes still fixed toward Crimson.


"W-what happened here?" Arty


"Lies. You, here. Meaning, you want to, kill, my Liege. I won't let you!" She roared, preparing to use her Animus's power. "Stand still!"


...................


A couple minutes back, at the men's bath.


Gills didn't trust this guy even a bit. It was the same for all assassins. You left yours eyes away just for a bit, and they quickly killed you in cold blood. No, he keep his eyes on Roman, waiting to catch even the slightest hint of attack so he could react appropriately. "Attachment...? I don't think I'm following this conversation," Gills answered, trying to sound as nonchalant as he could. "She's just an employee of mine, and I'm the employer. If you ask me how attached I am to her...the answer is that I am very attached to her, as long as she still doing this job. After all, I need to make sure the job is finished prope..."


His words were cut short when he suddenly heard Arty's cry on the other side of the wall. Damn, what happened at the women's bath? His instinct toward his sister won over the situation, and he recklessly jumped up toward the wall, trying to help her as fast as he could. "What happened over there? Arty! Are you oka..."


He popped his head above the wall and saw the chaos ensuing. What he saw was Crimson holding Arty and a silver haired petite girl brandishing dangerous weapon, about to attack the two. But most importantly they were butt-naked saves for some area covered by the steam. He could feel blood rising on his head.


"B-BIG BROTHER?!? DON'T COME HERE!"


"YOU, WHO? GO AWAY!"


"GAH!"


Arty and Riz threw towel and tray, respectively, at his face. They hit the target spot-on, making the (halfway) unconscious prince to fall back down. Cue big splash.


"Riz, what happened over there? Is there enemy?!" Someone else burst into the women room in a flash, but it has a man's voice. It was Andrew Maes, who came after hearing a girl's cry and noticed his servant's roar. But because this is a bath house, and he was about to get in as well, he was stark naked saves for the small towel covering his waist and loin area. His eyes quickly fell to Crimson, noticing her as the assassin from before. "YOU!? Why are you here? Are you targetting me ag...WHY ARE YOU NAKED!?"


Well, this is a bath house, genius.


Riz's face was now beet red.


"MY LIEGE. DO. NOT. LOOK!"


"GAH!"


Riz threw her remaining towel at Maes's face, knocking him down as well.

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson had no time to react to any of what had just happened but as soon as she set Arty down the prince had shown his face, though before she could do anything the two girls threw a towel and try at him knocking him back over the wall. she had faced the girl named Riz again when the man she had targeted came running in naked. even she could not figure out what was happening but as soon as he yelled why she was naked she quickly got in front of Arty so he did not see her. watching the rest unfold she couldn't hold back what was threatening to come out she started to laugh, not a half hearted laugh but a full laugh. it had been so long since this has happened that she fell to her knees wile she held her stomach and laughed.


__________


"oh I see.." Roman said before watching him look over the wall then be thrown back getting hit with a towel try. he laughed at him then picked him up out of the water. "you seen something huh?" he laughed then quickly jumped up and over the wall to see A guy on the floor two younger women and a Laughing Crimson.....Laughing!?' he looked at them surprised as he watched them.

 

[From Darkness]

Everything had been so crazy for Arty, and now that the dust had settled, there were a man sprawled unconscious (well, two, if counting her brother). The petite girl herself was still unidentified, but her face was flushing red too. Was that man...her companion? She had looked over the wall toward her brother's place when by chance she found Roman popping up on the wall as well. She yelped again. "Miss Crimson...Miss Crimson! T-there's someone else over there! Stop laughing, please!" she shook Crimson, who was still laughing uncontrollably.


"Who...?!" Riz roared again, seemingly out of her mind now because of all that crazy stuff happening. She jumped up towards the wall (still naked), her blades threatening to slice Roman's head off his neck.

 

[Srion Receno]

Crimson couldn't stop it was years since she had laughed like this and it caused tears to role down her cheeks as she leaned back trying to stop.


..........


Roman seen the girl coming for him and tipped his head "you have a vary lovely body for a girl" he smiled at her then moved quickly out of the way almost like vanishing. he made his way to Crimson as the girl moved to the spot he was at. "here Crimson let me help you" he balled his fist and hit her sending her into the wall right beside Maes. He stretched his hand with a slight pout "man i for got how hard her head was."

 

[From Darkness]

Rize was about to hit him when her blade just missed and sliced through thin air. Teleportation magic? It was not unlike Crimson's. Same style...could that be that they were comrades? No...more importantly, because of his sudden evasion, she didn't have anything to stop her trajectory, causing her to fall to the men's bath.


Precisely: right on top of the sprawled-naked Gills lying on the bath's side, courtesy of pulled over by Roman. Usually she would've been able to land without trouble, but Riz was not in the right mind as of now (courtesy of Maes barging in naked) and so she just fell with a dumbfounded face. The petite girl and the prince butted head with each other, causing her to plunge into the men's bath while Gills got woken up by the worst alarm ever.


"GAH! What happened...my face and head hurts like hell..." He sat back up, half confused. Then he remembered Arty's cry back then. Quickly standing up, he noticed the figure pulling up from the bath as well, that petite figure...should be a woman, right? What the hell?! This is the men's bath! Not another naked female! His face was flushing red again.


"D-damnit, who are you?! Why is this happening to me...huh..?"


Both Gills and Riz stopped on their track, just staring at each other.


"Prince...Argillys...? What are you...doing in Lapant...?"


"Rizeluke? What the..."


....................


Arty was still trying to bring back Crimson to planet earth, shaking her constantly while getting about to cry as well from the hopelessness (and absurdity). That was when the stranger suddenly came and punched the assassin away. Arty gasped.


"Miss Crimson! Y-you, who are you...?"


She quickly turned toward Roman, realizing that it wasn't someone she knew. Her face grew red from the realization that she was still naked. She took the remaining towel near the edge and covered her body as much as the towel would allowe her to.

 

[Srion Receno]

Roman looked the way he had punched Crimson and laughed a bit. "I hope he dose not mind her on him if so he will get a huge surprise" he smiled then like something clicked he looked down at the girl, who had covered her self.


"you seem to be princys sister hi I'm Roman you don't really need to cover up the beauty of your body I think we all are naked now" he laughed putting his hand on his naked hip. "it also seams I have seen body's of all different sizes today crimson, you and the little one" he made hands over his chest as he did this then started to laugh again.

 

[From Darkness]

Arty pouted hearing the way he spoke. So vulgar. She took a step back, not wanting to be near the guy. "I don't appreciate what you have done, sir Roman, and this is the women's bath. You shouldn't be here. Could you, perhaps, leave?" She demanded, trying to sound as calm as she could, although her instinct telling her otherwise. When she realized that he was naked, even...there, her face grew redder as she hastily covered her eyes. His remarks about chests didn't help improving her impression of him.


Right around that time, Maes was waking up groggily...only to see Crimson beside him, sprawled around as well. "Y-you!" He quickly stood up. Riz was nowhere to be seen, and in the bath was an unknown man (naked) and a girl (thankfully not). Err...this is the women's bath, right?


The confusion kept coming as Riz had popped up on the wall of the men's section, and beside her was Gills. Maes stared at them for a while before it clicked.


"My liege. You're awake."


"...Argillys...?"


"...I knew it...Cruzefort..." Gills stared at the glasses-wearing man with disbelief. Of all things to happen...meeting Roman...and now to meet him of all people.


His brother from the same father.


The ninth Prince, Cruzefort Bermekid Serion.

 

[Srion Receno]

Roman shook his head "sorry sweet heart can't leave just yet" he turned slightly and looked at the confusion behind him then chuckled. "well well this seams to be a family reunion so I guess I'll take my leave" he started to walk then turned to Crimson's passed out body. "well since I'm here I'll take her with me...." he said with a smirk.


Wile she was absent the big guys that they took orders from, had thought she had abandoned them and set a high price on her head. unfortunately for her Roman was the closest to her. He started to walk over to her smiling.

 

[From Darkness]

Arty's eyes grew wider when he mentioned his reason to come there. "...No, no! You can't!" She started to run to him, grabbing him from behind. "Don't take miss Crimson!"


"Arty, get away from him!" Gills had jumped over the wall and pried his sister away from Roman, but she was still trying to stop him from getting closer to Crimson.


"B-big brother! Please stop him! He's trying to take miss Crimson away!"


Great...another headache. So that was why this rogue came barging in. "Don't worry. Cruze! Rizeluke! Don't let him get that woman!"


Maes, or whom Gills called Cruzefort, was still confused over the chain of events, but Riz had moved one step ahead and jumped off the wall and landed between Roman and the two, blocking his way.


"...I have no idea what is happening right now, or what her connection is to you, Argillys, but fine. I still have questions for her anyway," he started chanting as Magic circle appeared on his feet.

 

[Srion Receno]

Feeling the girl grab him from behind threw him off, like Crimson he was not use to so much human contact that he him self did not do. he looked at her for a moment before her brother pulled her off on him. Roman was quiet watching them as they protected this women someone who had killed so many and even tried to kill them. he sighed as he shook his head "you royals always confuse me she has tried to kill you" he turned to Gills "and you have seen what she could do even the look in her eyes...she is truly a monster."


he shook his head again as he moved his hands out to his side "its strange fighting naked so ill leave you with a parting gift for now...Ignis Daemon Lupus!" as he said this two fire wolfs appeared beneath his hands. just this magic spell had worn him out a bit and he laughed "ill take her one way or another she is worth more then your head at this point though I wont mind taking that as well" he glared at everyone in turn before he snapped his fingers sending a wolf at each group, as he turned to the men's bath. he quickly grabbed his cloths then vanished.


the wolfs had only on thing on there mind and that was tarring the men in front of them up, they charged as they growled and barked loudly.

 

[From Darkness]

"Wait, you bastard!" Gills yelled at Roman, but couldn't do anything to chase him. Protecting Arty was top priority right now. What he had said bugged him a bit, though. Could it be that the assassin guild had decided to eliminate Crimson, their fellow member?


The flame wolves were charging toward their respective targets, but both princes didn't seem to care much. Without the master in the fight, the wolves were nothing but stray projectiles. Riz alone was sufficient to handle it.


"Scatter,"


Banging the gauntlets together, she created illusions right in front of the wolves, stabbing them right on their neck while taking the brunt of the attack. The wolves, being creatures of Magic, didn't feel any pain from the attack but got pulled away from their targets anyway. They kept on attacking and chew on the illusions, but to no avail. Finally they combusted, burning the illusions who fell down to the ground before disappearing like fading mist.


"Miss Crimson!" Arty ran off to Crimson, shaking her awake. The punch Roman had sent to her looked painful, but she couldn't gauge how much damage it had made. She can only hope that Crimson was tough enough to handle it.

 

[Srion Receno]

The feeling of being shook awake she grabbed Arty's arm roughly. She was confused at what was going on all she knew was that her head was killing her and the shaking was making it worse. "stop..." she groaned as she tightened her grip on her arm. Her body felt heavy but after pushing her away Crimson stood shakily up.


She leaned on the wall holding her head with one hand as she looked at the blurry people before her. She reached down with her other hand but found no weapon only bare flesh. "damn... " she numbed as she fought to keep conscious.

 

[From Darkness]

"Ah..." Arty let out relieved sigh upon seeing her waking up. She looked hurt from the attack earlier, but at least not life-threatening. Gills and the other two were coming closer as well, crowding around her. For various reason. Riz was glaring dagger at her, still having suspicion, while Gills and Cruz were arguing with each other.


"So I would like you to explain, what are you doing here and what is your relation to this assassin," Cruz queried. Gills could only averted his eyes.


"Well...uh...we're...sightseeing..."


"I know you're whimsical, but to go sightseeing with an assassin? And who is this young lady, if I may ask?" He turned to Arty.


"A-anyway, we shouldn't speak like this, considering our...situation, and also this is the women's bath."


Not including Arty, who had covered herself with towel, the rest of them were naked.

 

[Srion Receno]

"ugh shut up....you two are making my head worse" she groaned then moved between the two falling slightly into Gills. "sorry don't look!" she pushed him weakly away only to bump into Cruz. "why do you two have to be so close!" she yelled moving away from them. she just wanted to get her cloths, but the dizziness would not go away.


She groaned then sat down on the floor with her arms crossed and her eyes closed. "someone get my cloths before I kill something" she said violently though she sat there with her eyes closed. She really didn't care who they were royalty or not she just wanted to cover up before someone eyes sees her burnt and scared up body.

 

[From Darkness]

Gills and Cruz froze when she bumped at them. Feeling her soft skin on theirs sent shiver to their bones, in a good way. Perhaps a bit too good. Arty pushed her brother further away while Riz knocked Cruz over.


"Don't look, brother!"


"My liege. Your eyes. Close them."


"GUAH!"


After much scuffle, the consensus was reached that the men needed to get back to their section and finish their bath. The women would take care of Crimson...although for Riz, it was more like keeping watch so that she didn't do anything dangerous to Cruz. The petite girl still didn't trust her, it seems. Both Princes climbed up the wall in a haste. They...actually looked pretty much like the very definition of perverts running away from crime scene.


"Here, miss Crimson, your clothes," the princess brought her clothes from the edge of the bath..

 

[Srion Receno]

Hearing them be yelled at to not look then them leaving quickly made Crimson laugh lightly. This action though made her head hurt. When Arty came up to her with her cloths Crimson opened her eyes and looked at her.


"thank you...." she said then got up and quietly started to get dressed even though she was still slightly wet. "I'm sorry about your arm... " she looked away from her as she said this then sat back down.


"what's the plan....will you two finish your bath? " she asked in a soft voice as she leaned back. She was still a bit dizzy but then she realized something and jumped up looking around "were is Roman I'll kill him! " she yelled grabbing her dagger.